MOSSEL BAY - Tensions continue to rise in Mossel Bay following violent unrest linked to anti-illegal immigration protests.
Some locals in Kwa Nonqaba in Mossel Bay continue to remove foreign nationals from their homes, despite police warnings against this.
Some have accused Malixole Mbembe of being part of the groups that are terrorising the community.
Mbembe denied these claims.
"What's happening here is that this woman was staying with a foreign national. That person has since left. I don't want people to come here and burn down her house because she has children.”
A local whose partner is from Limpopo was chased away last week.
Mbembe allegedly forced her to produce her ID. He said it was to warn her about attackers.
Another resident said, "A fight ensued on Friday night after a march. People's structures were destroyed and some were attacked. The foreign nationals left and were followed to their hiding place. Locals are now stealing their belongings, like TVs, wardrobes, and corrugated iron sheets."
Mzwandile Mkonto, the ward councillor, said ethnic bias is not the issue.
He blames government for failing to address the influx of foreign nationals.
"We have undocumented people staying in our informal settlements. We don’t know their details or where they are from. So, it’s the law enforcers who have neglected this," Mkonto said.