SOUTH AFRICA’S government demanded an end to xenophobic violence yesterday ahead of a march whipped up by the opposition.

An anti-immigrant protest is planned for today in Mamelodi township, east of the capital Pretoria.

There have already been two weeks of attacks in the Pretoria West area on immigrants from other African countries and Pakistani shopkeepers.

Rioters and looters claimed immigrants were taking their jobs and blamed them for the drugs trade and other crime.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said: “I wish to appeal to all South Africans to desist from rhetoric or actions that are xenophobic.”

The ANC politician assured residents that concerns over chronic unemployment of more than 26 per cent would be addressed.

“We have a commitment from the hospitality sector on the need to comply with SA’s labour and immigration laws, especially the requirement to employ a minimum of 60 per cent locally,” said Mr Gigaba.

On Wednesday, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHCR) said it had launched an investigation into the Democratic Alliance (DA) mayor of Tshwane — the local government area that includes Pretoria — Herman Mashaba for incendiary comments.

Mr Mashaba has called illegal immigrants “criminals” and alleged that they are “messing up” the city.

But the DA said it would not take any action against Mr Gigaba unless the SAHCR found that he had broken the law.

“When he spoke about the illegality of people without papers, we have to look at it in context,” spokesman John Moodey said.

Previous outbreaks of such xenophobic violence over the past decade have led to troops being called out onto the streets.