Within an hour of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba assuring foreign diplomats that their citizens would be protected‚ battles broke out in Durban’s city centre on Tuesday.

Police had to warn foreign shop owners on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street to stay in their premises as they used stun grenades‚ water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse a mob.

While Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said: “We are in control and are handling the situation well”‚ foreigners were taking up arms to fight back against the attacks.

Asked why the government was refusing to use the term xenophobia‚ preferreing “Afrophobia“‚ Nhleko said the violence was not aimed at all foreigners. “It is African on African. It is not on other nationalities.”