mbjones

While police and senior politicians have dismissed rumours that xenophobia is brewing in several Cape communities, those on the ground believe there is a very real threat of attacks.

In Masiphumelele, an informal settlement near Cape Town's Noordhoek, a time and date has even been set - at 3am on July 12, after the World Cup final. John Thomas, a local pastor, said it had gone "way beyond rumours - the threats are very real".

In 2008, thousands of foreigners fled Masiphumelele in the wake of attacks, but Thomas said that this time, people wouldn't run so easily.

"We may end up with counter-violence, and I think there could be casualties on both sides."

Now is the time for prayer, and lots of it. This is the community that we have been working in and that we love. Please pray that the rumored violence is stopped and that peaceful solutions are reached.