WATCH as people protest on Styx Road
CLICK here to hear from one of the protesters of why he wants foreigners to leave South Africa.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieut Col Lungelo Dlamini said the Acontville Hostel dwellers intended to attack and loot the shops.
He said police believe the intention was criminally motivated.
The Public Order Police asked Actonville and Wattville shop owners to close their doors today as a precaution against xenophobic attacks.
Police and the EMPD were on scene to monitor the situation and disperse the group of people who were calling for foreign nationals to be deported to their countries of origin.
“They (government) must take the foreigners to their country, I think South Africa will be in peace,” said one of the men congregating at the hostel.
The 23-year-old told the City Times foreigners were taking locals’ jobs.
“They accept less payments every week, I can’t work for R250, I can’t work for R500 per week, but they can do that.”
Dlamini said no arrests have been made.
Listen to Wattville resident Zama Nxele speak about the Xenophobic attacks and how she feels about the police firing rubber bullets.
