Dimpane calls for calm after violent protests , vehicle torching

Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has called on the members of the public to allow government to deal with constitutional matters.

A Constitutional Court ruling in July invalidated parts of the Refugees Act.

This includes procedural requirements like showing good cause or holding a transit visa.

On Thursday, 11 vehicles were burned in Soweto and 14 in Durban following clashes between foreign nationals and locals.

Buildings in Durban have also been set alight.

Briefing the media in Soweto, Dimpane urged citizens to remain calm .

“We understand that there are concerns within communities regarding the issue of asylum seekers and the implications of the recent Constitutional Court ruling.

These are matters that require a government response through the appropriate constitutional as well as legal processes.” “The Minister in the Presidency [Khumbudzo Ntshavheni] briefed the nation today [Thursday] and outlined government’s approach to this Constitutional Court ruling concerning asylum seekers.

We therefore urge communities to allow these processes to unfold,” adds Dimpane.

Soweto Protests | Acting Police Chief warns protesters against lawlessness: Meanwhile, Soweto community leader, Tshepo Mposula, claims the judgment disadvantages South Africans.

He has, however, called for residents to remain calm.

“So the residents are really disappointed with the government of the day, because it looks like now, there is a complete disregard, you know, of the cry and the plight of our people.

Our people are unemployed.

Our people are spectators in the township economy.” “And, you know, this complaint seems to be falling, you know, on deaf ears, and it cannot be business as usual.