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South African government has ordered troops to be deployed into the Johannesburg township of Alexandra and in parts of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province.

This  follows  a wave of xenophobic violence in which at least seven people have died.

The violence was centered on the cities of Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Johannesburg. Just last week, the  government said there was no need to send troops in, but it has since amended that decision.

It is the first time in 8 years that South Africa has sent in troops to quell civil unrest.