Riyaz Patel
Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela has described the violence, looting and arson in some parts of the province as “inhumane.”
More than 40 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest in Jeppestown, Malvern, Tembisa and surrounding areas.
Protesters in Turffontein, Johannesburg, looted shops as they demonstrated in the area Monday morning.
The protesters targeted shops they believed to be owned by foreign nationals.
“It is a sad day when people choose to capitalise on the misfortune of others to advance anarchy or criminality. Three people perishing in a burning, collapsing building can never justify what is now happening in Jeppestown, Malvern and surrounding areas,” Mawela said.
Police said officers were “on high alert and monitoring” Reiger Park near Boksburg and Oakmore in Tembisa, following reports that several shops were being attacked in those areas.
On Sunday night, residents in nearby Jeppestown and Malvern began looting shops while damaging property and cars in two separate incidents of violence.
Several protesting residents said they wanted foreigners out of the area, claiming they were dealing drugs in the area.
The looting in Jeppe was apparently sparked by the death of three people in a building fire.
“It is a sad day when people choose to capitalise on the misfortune of others to advance anarchy or criminality. Three people perishing in a burning, collapsing building can never justify what is now happening in Jeppestown, Malvern and surrounding areas,” Mawela said.
