The outbreak followed protests earlier in the week that spiraled into an attack on foreign nationals. Locals went on a rampage after the local authority destroyed shacks at the “illegal” Thafalezono squatter camp.
Most affected by the xenophobic violence were those who lived in Wallacedene and Bloemkombos, where at least two Zimbabweans were killed, several shops looted and property destroyed.
Eyewitnesses said police stood by as locals attacked foreigners and looted property. MDC-T South African province condemned the violence.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are Somali, Chinese, Nigerian or Zimbabwean. It is unacceptable for people to face such levels of violence and displacement,” said MDC-T spokesman, Kumbirai Muchemwa. “We call upon the government of South Africa to put in place measures that will bring these reprehensible deeds to a complete stop.”
Cape Town police spokesman, Arno Lamoer, said his force would work hard to stop the violence.
“It is not true that police stand by when these things happen because we have held meetings with the migrant businessmen and locals, where we have told them that violence will not be accepted,” he said.
Some of the affected foreign nationals were hiding in Kraaifontein police station at the weekend.
Post published in: Africa News