ACADEMICS, clerics and other civil rights activists are calling on President Jacob Zuma to intervene in the latest attacks that have ravaged one of Durban's biggest informal settlements - the Kennedy Road Shack Settlement in Sydenham.

At the weekend a group of armed men, allegedly ANC supporters carrying an assortment of weapons, destroyed shacks and beat up locals. Two people died.

But police said the attacks "were criminally motivated", adding that eight arrests have been made.

MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu has ordered a special police task team to investigate. He rejected claims of ethnicity .

Concerned groups have called on Zuma to institute an investigation into alleged complicity by police in the violence. Spokesperson Raj Patel said they were concerned by slogans such as "the amaMpondo are taking over Kennedy".

Anglican Bishop Ruben Phillip said: "The militia that has driven out hundreds of families is a disgrace to our democracy."