SA police arrest 70 anti-foreigner protesters in fallout of xenophobic attacks

Security operatives in South Africa have arrested no less than 70 people in connection with anti-foreigner protests which witnessed the looting and burning of shops perceived to be owned by foreigners, in the capital of Johannesburg.

The police in a statement on Monday condemned the attacks and all acts of violence directed at the businesses and the looting of shops which has turned out to be the second outbreak of urban rioting in a week.

“Police are condemning all acts of violence directed at the businesses and the looting of shops described as those of foreign nationals by criminal opportunists,” the office of the provincial commissioner said in a statement on Facebook

READ ALSO: Saudi ignores plea by WHO, bans pilgrims, from DRC, 3 other countries over Ebola scare

Police also said they were investigating a death in Hillbrow, a residential neighbourhood in central Johannesburg, where a “member of the public” was allegedly shot by a group.

“At this stage [we] are still interviewing several people to establish the motive,” it said.

Three unidentified victims suspected to be foreigners have been confirmed dead following the outbreak of fresh xenophobic attacks in the Jeppestown area of Johannesburg .

The President of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), Adetola Olubajo, in a statement issued on Monday said the attacks started on Sunday when a house was set ablaze in Jeppestown by an angry mob.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now