KZN police call in officers from elsewhere in the Durban metro

KwaZulu-Natal police have called in officers from police stations elsewhere in the Durban metro as reinforcements to quell the unrest and violence that broke out in the CBD late afternoon.

Police Spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says reinforcements from outside the province have also been mobilised should their help be needed.

It’s alleged that the violence broke out when foreign nationals attacked a demonstrator who was part of a group that was walking through the city to join anti-migrant protestors.

The demonstrator’s leg was broken in the assault.

Since then, at least 14 vehicles were set alight by angry crowds, and some foreign-owned shops were looted or set alight around Doctor Pixley ka Seme Street.

Netshiunda says they are acting on intelligence of groups gathering in other parts of the city as well.

“We have intelligence all over Durban and surrounding areas.

We had some reports that there are some people having some groups in other parts of the city.

We are planning accordingly; hence, you see members from other stations.

We have a plan for how we are going to deal with them, but the focus is where we are,” says Netshiunda.

Video: Rubber bullets fired as violence erupts in Durban