JOHANNESBURG - More than 20 vehicles have been torched in Soweto and Durban as protests against illegal migration descended into violence, with police making arrests in both areas.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has appealed for calm, urging communities to allow the government to address concerns surrounding asylum seekers through constitutional and legal processes.
In Durban, three foreign nationals have been arrested, while police in Soweto have arrested several people allegedly involved in looting shops.
“Let me start by making it clear and also appeal to our communities to remain calm and to allow government to deal with the matters that are currently before us,” said Dimpane.
READ | 'There will be consequences' - Dimpane calls for calm after violent protests
She said government had outlined its approach to the ruling and that the issues must be resolved through the appropriate legal and constitutional processes.
Dimpane also warned that violence, intimidation, destruction of property and attacks on people would not resolve these concerns, but would instead put lives at risk and create further hardship for communities.
“We cannot resolve or solve these issues through violence. Violence, intimidation, the destruction of property and attacks on other people will not resolve the challenges before us,” she said.
She emphasised that police did not seek to prevent people from expressing legitimate concerns but would act to ensure that protests remained within the confines of the law.
READ MORE | Shops looted in Soweto as protest turns violent
“We are here to ensure that concerns are expressed within the confines of the law. Our responsibilities [are] to protect life and property, maintain law and order, and ensure that communities remain safe,” she said.
Provincial police commissioners have also met to assess the situation, with Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi tasked with coordinating the response and strengthening policing in affected areas and other provinces.
Dimpane reiterated that those who use protests as an opportunity to commit criminal acts would face the consequences.