JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) have taken a hard stance after protest action against illegal foreign nationals turned violent in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
These scenes were witness both in Soweto and Durban CBD.
Briefing the media on these tensions, Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Puleng Dimpane, said they would not tolerate lawlessness.
She said in Soweto, ten vehicles were torched and some shops looted. While in Durban, 14 vehicles were torched.
READ | Shops looted in Soweto as protest turns violent.
Police have arrested three people in KwaZulu-Natal. In Gauteng they are still pursuing those behind the criminality.
“Those responsible for acts of violence and destruction will be identified, investigated, and where sufficient evidence exists, they will be arrested and will be brought to court. There will be consequences for this criminality that is taking place today in Gauteng as well as in KZN,”
Dimpane has urged residents to remain calm and allow government to handle things.
“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," she said.