South Africa's defense minister said Monday that the country's army will be deployed in Alexandra township in Johannesburg following a wave of xenophobic violence over the past few weeks, local media reported.
Eyewitness News reported that defense minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said she feared the unrest would spread to hospitals and schools if the South African Defense Force (SADF) were not deployed.
@ewnreporter UPDATED #Xenophobia: Army to be deployed to Alexandra http://t.co/nyoophsqg0
The move is the first time South Africa's military has been used since the violence started early this month. The unrest, which seen migrants from other parts of Africa come under attack, has hit several parts of the country and has so far resulted in the deaths of five people.
The deployment — which will come into effect from 6:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. ET) — will focus on Alexandra, as well as other flashpoints in the wider KwaZulu-Natal province, the BBC reported.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters the move was designed to "bring back the authority of the state."
However, she insisted the army would be there to help police, not replace them: "Those people are vulnerable. We are not here to take over the job of police."
Tensions are high in Alexandra, following the murder of Mozambican migrant Emmanuel Sithole at the weekend.
Earlier Tuesday, four men appeared in court accused of murdering Sithole, and were remanded until early next month.
#sapsGP The accused in #EmmanuelSithole murder case appeared in court today, remanded to 4/05 SD