There is a strong police presence in Durban and Soweto monitoring possible protests that could flare up on Friday.
In Durban, Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, formerly known as West Street, is open to traffic as thousands of workers stream into the city for the beginning of the workday. In Soweto, hundreds of people queued outside the Home Affairs office in Orlando East.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) said they will not tolerate lawlessness.
“We will not allow violence, the torching of vehicles, destruction of property or attacks on people to continue. Anyone who chooses to break the law will be dealt with decisively, without fear or favour. Police will pursue those behind the torching of vehicles. Police will pursue those behind the torching of vehicles. Those responsible for acts of violence and destruction will be identified, investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, arrested and brought to book. There will be consequences for criminality,” Dimpane said.
ANC concerned about protest
The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the lawlessness. Sifiso Sonjica, ANC Provincial Spokesperson, said the march was staged to show dissatisfaction with the recent Constitutional Court judgment on asylum seekers and the strain its implementation has put on the Refugee Reception Centre. Sonjica said the image of our province and our city has once again been dragged through the mud.
“It quickly turned into an exercise in intimidation, destruction andXenophobia. What happened today was not a protest. Asylum seekers were driven from queues with sticks and sjamboks. Vehicles were set alight. Shops were looted and vandalised, and certain buildings were set alight. People were assaulted because of how they looked or where they came from, and at least one person was reportedly shot,” Sonjica said.
He said when courts and/or tribunals make rulings that resonate with certain sections of society, the courts are applauded for their independence.
“However, when the same courts or tribunals issue judgments that do not resonate with certain sections of society or certain parties, those rulings are suddenly attributed to the government or the majority party in government. In this case, people’s emotions are whipped up against the government or the majority party,” Sonjica said.
Remain vigilant
Sonjica also warned people to remain vigilant against disinformation and fake news, including the misinterpretation of the Constitutional Court judgment.
“We call on the people of KwaZulu-Natal to reject those who would set communities against each other for political gain. Our province has paid too high a price for violence. We will not allow it to become a breeding ground for hatred again,” Sonjica said.
In Durban, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the Public Order Police officers and officers from other police units, supported by Durban Metro Police and other role players in the law enforcement sector, are monitoring the Durban CBD.
“Reports indicate that a group marching against Gender-Based Violence in the Durban CBD, after finishing their march, reportedly walked down Dr Pixley kaSeme Street to join another group marching at the Home Affairs offices.
“Information at this stage suggests that as they were walking, one of them was allegedly assaulted by a foreign national and his leg was broken. It is not yet clear what sparked the alleged assault. The group became angry, and violence erupted, resulting in the burning of vehicles,” he said.
Vehicles torched
Netshiunda said 14 vehicles were torched during the protest.He added that three foreign nationals were arrested for the assault.In addition, he said a lodge building and a warehouse were partially burnt; however, the fire was immediately extinguished.
On Thursday, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Superintendent Xolani Fihla said nine vehicles were set alight in the vicinity of the Department of Home Affairs in Soweto.
Fihla said clashes between South Africans and foreign nationals ignited the protest. He said they were investigating allegations that gunshots were fired against the South African protesters, which could have led to the vehicles being set alight. He reported no injuries and said the situation remained tense.
On Wednesday night, an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration outlined a series of measures to strengthen South Africa’s asylum system and broader migration management following the Constitutional Court judgment that expanded access to the asylum determination process.The judgment caused an operational impact after Refugee Reception Offices experienced a significant increase in people seeking to lodge asylum applications.
zainul.dawood@iol.co.za
IOL
