South Africa: Extra police deployed to fight xenophobia in KZN

By Amanda Khoza
Sunday, April 12, 2015

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Durban - Additional public order police members have been deployed to assist local police fight xenophobia in KwaZulu-Natal, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega announced on Saturday.

Phiyega accompanied a high level state delegation that visited different camps around Durban where foreign nationals have been living under police guard.

"The police on the ground are working extremely hard to stabilise this violent situation. Criminals have taken advantage [of the situation] and are terrorising communities… the police are committed to arresting those involved. We have identified the instigators and we are busy effecting arrests," said Phiyega.

Xenophobic attacks

The attacks, which started in Isipingo on March 25, have spread to other areas around Durban including Chatsworth and Umlazi.

News24 reported on Saturday that two people thought to be Somali nationals were critically injured when a shop was petrol-bombed in W Section in Umlazi on Friday night.

“We once again strongly discourage people from taking the law into their own hands and caution that those found to be breaking the law will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Phiyega.

She said a number of criminal cases had been opened at various police stations in the Umlazi cluster and Chatsworth area.

“These cases include public violence, business robberies, murders, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property. A total of 17 suspects have already been arrested, who were linked to public violence, murder, business robberies and business burglaries,” said Phiyega.

Criminal activities

She said detectives will work tirelessly to make sure that those involved in criminal activities are brought to book.

“On 9 April 2015 four suspects allegedly robbed a supermarket belonging to a foreigner in J Section, Umlazi. A shot was fired and a woman, 24, who was a bystander was shot and taken to hospital where she later died.

“A foreign national was immediately arrested and will be charged with murder. On the same night more shops were looted at some sections in the Umlazi area and the police stepped in to prevent such criminal activities,” said Phiyega.

She said in Chatsworth a foreign national was arrested for murder and has already appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates' Court. He was remanded in custody until April 14, 2015.

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