REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON -- The United States on Monday slammed a recent spate of attacks on foreigners living in South Africa, urging South African leaders to condemn the xenophobic violence.

"We have joined the South African government and civil-society leaders in strongly condemning the violence against foreigners," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters at a daily news briefing, voicing "deep concern" about the loss of lives and property and the impact on families and communities.

Seven people have been killed, among them three South Africans and four foreign nationals, since the violence erupted on March 25, with hundreds of foreign-owned shops burned or looted and thousands of foreigners displaced.

The xenophobia was reportedly sparked by growing complaints by locals that foreigners have entered the country illegally, engaged in illegal trade and committed crimes.

South African President Jacob Zuma, who had formed a task team to cope with the violence, is working toward orderly migration and good relations between locals and foreign nationals, his spokesman said Monday.

"We have appealed to all South African leaders to take a stand and make very clear how they condemn these kinds of sentiments and violence," Harf said.

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