The South African government inter-ministerial committee to counter possible xenophobic attacks on foreigners will soon meet to map an integrated approach as the curtain comes down on the 2010 Fifa World Cup this weekend.

This follows concerns by foreigners, among them Zimbabweans, over their future after the soccer showcase amid threats of xenophobic attacks.

In a telephonic interview from Pretoria, Department of International Relations and Co-operation chief director for public diplomacy Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi told Mirror that the committee would hold its first meeting next week. "The South African government is taking the malicious rumours very seriously, to the extent that on Thursday next week there will be an inter-ministerial committee meeting convened by the Minister of Police," he said.

Molobi said the committee would include officials from the departments of home affairs; state security; social development; corporate governance and traditional affairs; education, arts and culture; and international relations and co-operation. "The meeting will outline an integrated programme of action by government and civil society to deal with the threats," Mr Molobi said.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador in South Africa, Mr Simon Khaya Moyo, said he was hopeful there would be no xenophobic attacks. "We hope these threats will not be carried out. It will be unfortunate for the continent that after South Africa hosted such a successful tournament if something like that happened. Whoever will be responsible for these attacks will not be doing it in the interests of South Africa and the continent," he said.

Foreigners fear South African authorities will embark on a clampdown to eject illegal immigrants after the World Cup and that could spark a repeat of the 2008 xenophobic attacks. Thousands of Zimbabweans got employment in South Africa ahead of the World Cup, which created thousands of jobs in the construction and allied industries.