Pretoria – The police are still monitoring the situation in Umlazi and KwaMashu townships after violence against foreign nationals broke out in some parts of Durban.
According to the police, 28 people were arrested in KwaMashu since the incidences of violence against foreign nationals last week.
The violence started in Isipingo and has since spread to Chatsworth, Umlazi and other parts of Durban.
Speaking to SAnews this morning, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the situation during the day was calm, however the problem is at night when people regroup and attack.
“The police are still monitoring all the areas affected by violence,” he said.
According to Major Zwane, most of the foreigners in the affected townships have left and are with friends in other parts of the province.
The attacks on foreign nationals continued last night when shops in Umlazi and KwaMashu were torched.
According to the police, violence broke out after the death of a local woman who was allegedly shot by a foreigner.
Government has since condemned the violence, with President Jacob Zuma sending Ministers to assess the situation and to find solutions.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, as well as State Security Minister David Mahlobo, have been assigned to work with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to deal with the violence that has broken out in some parts of Durban.
The President called on citizens to provide information to the police if they know of foreign nationals who are engaged in criminal activities.
“They should not be attacked. We wish to emphasise that police will also take action against all people who engage in violence, including foreign nationals as well, if they attack citizens,'' said the President.
The President added that government will continue to provide support to refugees and asylum seekers as required in terms of international law and the country's own Constitution which enshrines human rights and dignity.
The President also reminded citizens that not all foreign nationals are living in South Africa illegally.
Around 2000 foreigners are being accommodated in three makeshift camps across the Ethekwini metro after they were forced out of their homes by violent mobs. – SAnews.gov.za
