Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko says it is not necessary to call in the army to assist authorities in dealing with xenophobic violence that has taken grip in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
He told reporters in Cape Town and Pretoria via a video conference that government agencies had handled the situation relatively well , adding that the current violence in KwaZulu-Natal was a complex matter.
"Firstly, some of us find it difficult to think that this is just xenophobic. I think it also represents a particular political problem. You don't see Australians being chased on the street, you don't see Britons being chased on the streets."
In a sense what was being witnessed in KwaZulu-Natal represented a form of African "self-hate" he said.
Zimbabweans, Congolese, Malawians, Mozambicans, Somalis and Ethiopians were among the most notable nationalities being targeted.
Meanwhile, At least 48 people have been arrested since the outbreak of xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters in Cape Town with a video-link to Pretoria, she said that government was concerned about the ongoing violence taking place in the province.
The Inter-ministerial committee, charged with ensuring the violence against foreign nationals in KwaZulu Natal comes to an end, says its number one priority is to protect human life under threat.
The ongoing violence has spread to various areas in and around Durban.
Addressing the media in the city on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba - who's department - together with the Police and State Security Ministry - forms part of the committee, says police need to be swift in attending to the xenophobic incidents.
