South African police said about 50 immigrants took refuge in a Johannesburg police station overnight, afraid that they would be targeted in attacks against foreigners while people a peace march was planned in another city.

People began gathering in a sports stadium in the coastal city of Durban for a march denouncing the attacks. Police said attacks have left five people dead there in recent days. An aid organization, Gift of the Givers, says more than 2,000 foreigners are living in refugee camps on sports fields around the city, afraid to return home.

Police spokesman Col. Lungelo Dlamini said on Thursday the foreigners who flocked to a Johannesburg police station feared for their safety.

South African President Jacob Zuma is to make a statement later Thursday on the attacks.