( CNN ) Shops looted and set ablaze . Terrified foreigners hiding in police stations and stadiums . Machete-wielding attackers hacking immigrants to death in major cities in South Africa . As attacks against foreigners and their businesses rage on , killing at least six people this week , other nations in the continent are scrambling to evacuate their citizens from South Africa . But this is not the first time xenophobic violence has exploded in a country that tries to portray itself as a diverse `` rainbow '' nation . They started after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said at a recent gathering that foreigners `` should pack their bags and go '' because they are taking jobs from citizens , local media reported . Shortly after his comments , violence against immigrants erupted in the port city of Durban . His office has denied he made the comments , saying journalists misquoted him . While kings are mostly ceremonial figures in the nation , they are influential in their communities . But the United Nations said the attacks started in March after a labor dispute between citizens and foreign workers . Some citizens have accused African immigrants of taking their already scarce jobs , undermining businesses owned by locals and contributing to a high crime rate . The nation 's unemployment rate is about 25 % , according to government figures . But resentment over porous borders , growing crime rates , poverty and corruption are also a major concern , analysts say . President Jacob Zuma has said his government is addressing the social and economic concerns . But he said immigrants contribute to the nation 's economy and bring skills that are in demand , and should not be stereotyped as criminals . `` While some foreign nationals have been arrested for various crimes , it is misleading and wrong to label or regard all foreign nationals as being involved in crime in the country , '' Zuma said . The nation has about 2 million documented and undocumented immigrants , which is about 4 % of the total population , according to a study by the University of the Witwatersrand . Zimbabweans make up the largest group of immigrants . Also , South Africa is a top travel destination for wealthy Africans because of its proximity and developed infrastructure . Yes . This is the latest in a series of attacks that date back years . In January , looters burned businesses owned by foreigners in another wave of xenophobic attacks . In addition , there were other incidents of violence last year , Human Rights Watch said . Seven years ago , Johannesburg was the epicenter of more anti-immigrant tensions that left dozens dead in attacks that later spread to Cape Town . Most of the victims were Zimbabweans who had fled repression and dire economic circumstances . In those attacks , police arrested more than 200 people on various charges , including rape , murder , robbery and theft . In 2006 , xenophobic violence broke out again for several months in Cape Town . Victims of xenophobic attacks have been from various African nations , including Nigeria , Somalia and Ethiopia . African nations have condemned the attacks . Kenya , Malawi and Zimbabwe are just a few of the countries evacuating their citizens from South Africa . In Zambia , local radio station QFM said it will not play South African music in solidarity with the victims . And in Mozambique , South African energy and chemical giant Sasol sent about 340 South African nationals home . The company said Mozambican employees voiced concern about reported violence against their nationals and protested the presence of South African employees in Mozambique . Most of the attacks have erupted in poor and marginalized areas . Despite the progress the nation has made since its apartheid days , inequality still remains a major concern , according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation . `` It is up to the present and next generations to take up the cudgels where you ( Mandela ) have left off . It is up to them , through service to deepen our democracy ; entrench and defend our constitution ; eradicate poverty ; eliminate inequality ; fight corruption , and serve always with compassion , respect , integrity and tolerance , '' the foundation said in a statement . `` Xenophobia , racism and sexism must be fought with tenacity , wisdom and enlightenment . '' As fears of more attacks grow , South Africans have taken to social media and the streets to protest xenophobia and violence .
immigrants make up the largest group of immigrants in South Africa . they have targeted immigrants and their businesses .