The informal settlements in Germiston were in a tense state on Thursday, after a number of attacks on foreign nationals.
According to Primrose SAPS station commander Col Mduduzi Khuzwayo, there have been five incidents of foreign nationals being attacked, in the Makause and Marathon informal settlements, since Wednesday evening.
“Last night, when I arrived home from a provincial meeting, I received a call saying that people were threatening to attack foreign nationals in the informal settlements,” he said.
“I immediately mobilised the police members and organised manpower to monitor the situation.”
On Wednesday evening, a number of Marathon community members arrived at the police station, claiming they had been told by some youngsters that they were going to be attacked.
On Thursday morning, Khuzwayo spoke to three women who had fled their homes, fearing for their lives.
“They told me that the same youngsters who had told them they were going to be attacked had then broken into their shacks and shops in the settlement, stealing goods after the foreign nationals had fled,” Khuzwayo said.
“The Primrose SAPS detectives are now following up leads and tracking down the stolen goods and the culprits.”
Khuzwayo confirmed that, since Wednesday, five foreign nationals have been assaulted and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“Our detectives will be visiting them and opening cases,” he said.
“At this stage I believe it is purely these young people threatening the foreign nationals in order to steal from them, it is not xenophobia per-say.
“I believe they are hiding behind xenophobia to do their criminal deeds.”
He told the GCN that currently the SAPS is deploying members and has activated the community leaders, church leaders and councillors in the affected areas.
“The command point is here at the station and we are in control of the situation.
“We are ready and on standby should the situation escalate,” Khuzwayo said.
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