Immigrants flee S. Africa after deadly clashes

Hidden force at work?
Other government and governing party officials have hinted they believe a hidden force was orchestrating the violence, perhaps to undermine general elections next year. The unrest has deeply embarrassed the government, whose own leaders sought refuge in neighboring countries during the white racist rule of the past.

And it has had a profound effect on an economy reliant on foreign workers.

Gold company DRD Gold said production in one of its big mines just outside Johannesburg has suffered since the attacks began.

Spokesman James Duncan said foreigners comprise 33 percent of the semiskilled work force at the ERPM operation in Primrose in the East Rand, where some of the worst violence occurred over the weekend. He said 14 percent of workers failed to show up Monday — and the absentee rate was up to 60 percent by Wednesday. On Thursday, 58 percent of the day shift did not turn up.

Two of the mine's employees died in the violence, the company said, appealing to workers who had sought refuge at police stations and elsewhere to come forward for assistance. Company officials said they were speaking with union officials, workers and the Mozambique consulate to try to resolve the crisis.

Jerry Vilakazi, head of a business and industry group, said construction and hospitality were also badly affected by the violence. The timing was particularly bad, he said, because the government is in a rush to complete projects in time for the soccer World Cup, which South Africa will host in 2010.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Tsvangirai, meanwhile, toured some of the worst-affected areas to offer solace to his compatriots.

Tsvangirai was greeted with cheers as he said he would return home Saturday, despite fears of a possible assassination attempt.

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