IN PICS | Residents on tenterhooks, police stretched as anarchy erupts on Durban streets
Expectations of civil unrest planned for a national day of anti-migrant protest failed to materialise on June 30 but it played out across several cities across the country on Thursday.
Rampaging protesters torched cars and buildings, looted stores and clashed with foreigners from Hillbrow to Orlando East, Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape, Epping in Cape Town and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
The violence sparked widespread public ire, fear and a warning from the US Consulate in Durban.
In a communique on its website on Thursday evening the consulate said the social unrest grew following South Africa’s decision to reopen its asylum system to new applicants.
The US Consulate General in Durban said it was aware of reports of unrest near the Bayside Hotel on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, formerly West Street.
“US government personnel have been instructed to exercise extreme caution in this area and divert travel as needed until further notice,” the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa said.
They advised people to avoid the area, crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile and remain aware of their surroundings.
It also urged people to monitor local media, review their personal security plans and contact the South African Police Service on 10111, or 112 from a mobile phone, in an emergency.
The warning follows clashes between foreigners and anti-immigrant protesters after the department of home affairs instructed refugee reception offices to receive applications in person from people wanting to apply for asylum.
In Durban protesters torched at least 10 cars and set a building alight in the CBD in an apparent revenge attack after a demonstrator was allegedly assaulted by foreigners on Thursday.
Residents and businesses in the CBD and North and South Beach and Point areas took cover as protesters went on the rampage, storming shops and setting vehicles alight.
A Sunday Time team witnessed an incident in which a foreign national was sjamboked on Russell Street.
KZN police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said three foreigners were arrested in connection with the alleged assault of a demonstrator.
He was speaking from the sidelines in the city centre as police attempted to quell the violence and looting.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.timeslive.co.za — the content belongs to TimesLIVE News.
