“As MTN we strongly condemn prejudice and xenophobia and we reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of any and all violence. As a leading pan-African telecommunications company with operations in 21 countries, MTN believes in the potential of an Africa whose nations pursue deeper trade, integration and cooperation,” the mobile network operator said in a statement.

“We actively encourage the dialogue necessary to maintain peace and sustain strong relationships and urge all our customers and stakeholders to support and defend the principles of human rights, diversity and inclusion and an integrated collaborative Africa.”

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group has over 240 million customers in 21 countries in different parts of Africa and in the Middle East. 

The latest spate of violence started in Pretoria last week, when several shops owned by foreign nationals were looted and burnt, leaving a trail of destruction in South Africa's volatile capital city following the shooting of a taxi driver allegedly by a drug dealer. The looting soon spread to Johannesburg where more foreign-owned shops were attacked.

On Monday, Zambia's High Commission in Pretoria issued an advisory, cautioning its citizens in South Africa to take extra precautionary measures for their safety in the face of the widespread attacks and looting.

"Trouble spots or towns should be avoided as well as movement to other places except where it is absolutely necessary," the mission's Naomi Nyawali said in a statement.

She said a Zambian national in Germiston sustained life threatening injuries on Monday after being stabbed on the forehead by a group of unknown people.

A group of Zambians have reportedly written to the police, giving the law enforcement officers notice of a gathering at the premises of the South African embassy.

ANA