By Tony O'Riley-
Shameful looting and violence across South Africa’s major cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg in a mindless targeting of foreign-owned shops.
South African police on Monday arrested over 100 people following looting in Johannesburg and protests linked to strong anti-foreigner sentiment in the country. Several foreign shops were targeted by thugs who also torched cars and buildings in the attacks. Much of the looting is believed to be linked to record levels of unemployment and economic hardship .
South African police warned motorists to avoid the affected areas.
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South African cops said on Monday afternoon that additional officers would be deployed to deal with the violence which has been spiraling out of control.
“We need to stop any form of looting by bringing more police. Tomorrow [Tuesday], we will have meetings with the communities because, for us, what will help is to involve the community, the leadership at all levels.
“We believe that talking to the people, life will be better rather than sending only security to deal with the matter. We need to deal with it both politically, at government level, and speak with the people,” Cele said.
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MAYHEM
The Mayhem started on Sunday when an old building in the CBD was set on fire and collapsed, killing at least three people. It later spread two eastern suburbs.Police Minister Bheki Cele insisted the violence was linked to “criminality” rather than “xenophobia”. Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama reacted strongly to the scenes of violence.
“Received sickening and depressing news of continued burning and looting of Nigerian shops and premises in #SouthAfrica by mindless criminals with ineffective police protection,” he said on Twitter.
“Enough is enough. We will take definitive measures.”
Separately, police in the southeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) said at least 20 individuals had been arrested “in connection with incidents related to protests within the trucking industry”.
Taxi drivers clashed with police in the capital Pretoria last week, and truckers started a nation-wide strike on Sunday to protest against the employment of foreign drivers.
Eleven trucks on Sunday blocked the road to Richards Bay Harbour, one of the deepest natural harbours in Africa, KZN police spokesman Jay Naicker said.
In the Western Cape province, several protesters blocked roads with their vehicles.
“Several roads had to be closed for traffic from early morning due to trucks blocking the road while others were seen offloading sand on the road,” said a statement from the provincial transport minister, Bonginkosi Madikizela.
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