Veteran AmaZulu linkman John “Shoes” Moshoeu and award-winning Santos defender Musa Otieno are among local and foreign players to condemn the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the country.

South Africa has been hit by xenophobic attacks for the past fortnight and more than 50 foreign nationals have been reportedly killed.

Moshoeu, who played in Turkey for 10 years, said the situation needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“Our African brothers and sisters should be living in this country freely without being attacked. These are our own people and it really disturbs me to see them being attacked and killed,” Moshoeu said.

“We should note that some of the illegal immigrants are in the country because of some corrupt officials at the Department of Home Affairs. Some of the police at the border gates are also corrupt and they let in these guys in exchange for money. The government should look at this issue holistically.”

Said Otieno: “What has been happening has painted a disturbing picture about South Africa. When we should be embracing each other as African brothers and sisters we are killing each other.

“I have been in this country for 11 years and I have never seen such acts on foreigners. My family is in South Africa and I pray that this does not affect my children at school.”

Phil “Chippa” Masinga, former Bafana Bafana forward and 2010 World Cup ambassador, said he was equally concerned about the attacks.

“I don’t know how to describe the situation. What is happening here shows that we don’t like foreigners in our country.

"Our action could come back to haunt us in 2009 and 2010 when we host the Confederation Cup and the World Cup. People from outside the country will not want to come and attend these tournaments to avoid possible attacks on the them.

"I was never discriminated against while I was playing overseas.”

William Mugeyi, former Bush Bucks defender, said the attacks were being carried out by a young generation that knew nothing about the struggle.

“Our doors in Zimbabwe and other African countries were always open for South Africans who fled their country during dark days of apartheid. We welcomed them with warm arms and gave them refugee status, but look at what they are doing to our people.

"What is happening in the country is a disgrace and it should stop.”

England-based soccer star Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena has urged South Africans to stop these barbaric attacks.

Mokoena pleaded with South Africans to name and shame people who are attacking the foreign nationals in the country.

“We (Africa) are a poorest continent. We really need to get together as Africans, support and embrace each other,” said Mokoena, who has also played in Belgium.

Majimbos coach and former Bafana Bafana linkman Teboho “Tebza Ngwana” Moloi, who once played in Argentina, said he was saddened by the behaviour of some of the South Africans.

“It is not good for us as Africans. We black South Africans were taught about the spirit of ubuntu when we grew up. The African brothers and sisters should be accommodative to each other. Foreign nationals are helping us a lot, they do odd jobs that South Africans are embarrassed to do. We need to wake up, especially with the 2010 World Cup coming.”

Well-travelled David “Going Up” Nyathi who once played in Italy’s Serie A league, said: “What has been happening is the worst human actions I have ever seen in my life.

“We are South Africans, we call ourselves Africans who dedicate the 2010 World Cup to Africa but we are doing the most unthinkable thing of attacking other Africans."

Adds Nyathi the Ajax Cape Town’s development coach: “It takes away my belief, culture and tradition of an African.”

Meanwhile, Sapa-DPA reports that FIFA announced it "abhorred" the recent xenophobic violence in South Africa. However, it expressed its confidence that the country will be able to host the 2010 World Cup, saying: “The executive reiterated its trust in the authorities to keep the security situation under control".

Sowetan