Clashes between locals trying to loot foreign-owned stores and police have taken place overnight in a township outside Johannesburg, as tension persists in several South African cities following attacks on immigrants.
This came as the total number of deaths reached seven. South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma announced saying a total of seven people have died in ongoing attacks on immigrants and he postponed a key ceremony because of the crisis.
The office of President Jacob Zuma said Monday that the ceremony scheduled for next week bestows the country’s highest official honor on South Africans and foreigners who have contributed to South Africa. His office said it must be postponed so South Africa can mourn the victims of anti-immigrant violence.
Meanwhile Radio station Eyewitness News reported that police shot rubber bullets at rioters in Actonville in clashes that continued into the early hours of Monday morning.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini told Al Jazeera that police were called in after roads were closed but that no looting had taken place. He denied reports that police had fired rubber bullets, claiming that only tear gas had been used.
“The situation is quiet now, but we do have a lot of police presence in the hotspots,” Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, speaking to 702 news on Monday, David Mahlobo, minister of state security, described the country as “relatively stable over the past 48 hours”.
Residents of #Actonville were dispersed by police after they took to the streets last night, blocking the roads outside the hostel #sabcnews — Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) April 20, 2015
At least 1,000 people have been displaced after violence against foreign nationals flared up on March 30 in Durban. The violence soon spread to townships around Johannesburg. – Al Jazeera/Eyewitness News