Friday, 29th March 2024
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S.African anti-immigrant attacks spread to downtown Johannesburg

Twelve people were arrested overnight as anti-foreigner attacks in South Africa spread to parts of downtown Johannesburg, police said Friday.
Locator map of South Africa. Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Locator map of South Africa. Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Twelve people were arrested overnight as anti-foreigner attacks in South Africa spread to parts of downtown Johannesburg, police said Friday.

“Twelve suspects were arrested for trying to break into foreign-owned shops,” said police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini.

It was the latest incident in a wave of immigrant-targeted violence that began earlier this month in the port city of Durban, leaving at least six people dead.

According to local reports, the protesters from a local hostel demanded foreign nationals leave South Africa, setting cars alight and clashing with police.

No injuries were reported, said Dlamini.

The scene remained tense Friday morning, with hostel-dwellers telling reporters they wanted immigrants to know they were not welcome in the country.

President Jacob Zuma has condemned the violence in parliament.

“No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops,” he said Thursday night.

Locals and African immigrants in South African often compete for scarce jobs, making them a target for violence and intimidation.

Early this year, foreign shopkeepers in and around Soweto, south of Johannesburg, were forced to vacate their premises after violence and looting broke out.

In 2008, 62 people were killed in xenophobic violence in Johannesburg townships.

2 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    I am so shock at some South African Hypocrites. What stupid evil pride do they have????… How about us living outside SA. What ignorant mindset thinks of its Country but not its People abroad or in other Countries. Thekwane

  • Author’s gravatar

    Look at the mind boggling money South africans make from their Banks and businesses in Nigeria.I am sure they dont make that kind of money in that South africa.Check the statistics ! and no one has ever touched or even bothered about them .Look at Nigerias great finacial and moral contributions to the liberation from apartheid .This is terrible ! The parliament in Nigeria must act !