Six arrests amid xenophobic spree
SIX PEOPLE have been arrested after violence targeted at foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, flared up in Pretoria West on Saturday, police said.
“One female suspect was arrested for public violence after police opened cases of arson and public violence,” Captain Augustinah Selepe said yesterday.
“While monitoring and patrolling the area, police arrested a further five suspects in three separate incidents – two for dealing with drugs, two for possession of stolen property, and the fifth for possession of a dangerous weapon.”
At least two houses and numerous cars were torched on Saturday when a vigilante group went on the rampage, accusing foreign nationals of peddling drugs and running brothels.
Selepe cautioned Pretoria residents to avoid street justice. “The six suspects will be appearing in court soon. We urge members of the public not to take the law into their own hands and to report any suspicious or criminal activities to their nearest police station,” she said.
Some Nigerian nationals complained that police did not intervene when they were attacked on Saturday.
Some said they had called police to come to their rescue, but police went on “harassing” Nigerian nationals in the area.
“We are sitting ducks, simply because we have no one to protect us. The South African government has once again proved it does not care for the lives of foreigners, especially Nigerians. This is just the beginning, because those thugs will come again to loot our hard-earned assets. We are under attack from all sides now,” said Lawrence Bia, who has lived in South Africa for the past 20 years.
“We will not stand by and watch while our properties are plundered. If the authorities cannot protect us, we have legal means to defend ourselves.
“We are in this country for legal business and there are many South Africans living and doing business in our country,” he said.
Another Nigerian national, Jide Ajibade, said tension between South Africans and the foreign nationals had to cease. “This violence has to stop or else the rippling effects could cause waves beyond the expectations of all and sundry. War yields nothing but grief, deep-seated hatred and monumental losses.
“I believe we must respect our host communities and the laws of the land by abiding with all laid-down laws and rules.
“However, there seems to be a disturbing trend, especially from the black communities with their intolerance and disdain towards migrants, particularly immigrants of African descent,” Ajibade said.
The African Diaspora Forum condemned the violence, urging the government to “take all necessary steps to prevent attacks on foreign nationals”.
Selepe, however, denied the allegations that police did not intervene when the Nigerians were under attack. “There is nothing (to the rumours) such as police stood by and did nothing while Nigerians were attacked.
“It is the mandate of the SAPS to make sure all the people within the borders of South Africa are safe and protected. We are there to restore calm,” she said.
Last week, foreign nationals fled the Joburg suburb of Rosettenville following rampant incidents of mob justice and attacks targeted at alleged drug dealers.
At least 10 houses, alleged to be drug dens and brothels, were set alight.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) yesterday said drastic action was needed to fight crime and drugs and thus prevent xenophobic attacks.
Sanco called for an urgent review of the national crime prevention strategy to ensure that new priorities responded adequately to acts of criminality threatening communities.
This followed the outbreak of violence in Pretoria West during which two houses alleged to be drug dens were torched.
“The SAPS management needs to get to the bottom of allegations that law enforcement officers are either compromised by involvement in crime or turning a blind eye to criminal activities because they are receiving bribes,” Sanco national spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu said.
“Xenophobic looters, like drug dealers, are a menace to society because their shameful actions undermine the successful social integration and peaceful coexistence of foreign nationals in many of our communities,” he said.