WATCH – UPDATE: Violence breaks out in Joburg CBD
JOBURG - There have been reports of xenophobic attacks taking place in the Joburg CBD.
UPDATE: 3pm – According to EWN, violence has now broken out in the Joburg CBD. According to the report, a group of people have attacked foreign nationals.
It is believed that three vehicles have been damaged with bricks. Our journalist is on his way to the scene now. Updates to follow.
A video of the violence that broke out this morning has been uploaded on to youtube by SABC reporter Aldrin Sampear.
Watch the video below:
UPDATE: 12:15pm –According to a foreign shop owner from Jeppe Streets who wished to remain anonymous due to fears of being victimised, a group of about 50-100 people threatened shop owners on Jeppe Street earlier this morning.
It is believed this is why shop owners shut their doors, because of fears of their shops being looted.
RELATED ARTICLE: Gruesome video used to fuel xeno attacks
Watch a video below of Bradley Santram, an eye witness from Jeppe Street below:
UPDATE: 11:51am –According to our journalist in the Joburg CBD, who spoke to a Metro Police officer in the city, there have been no reports of xenophobic attacks in the JHB CBD.
Updates to follow.
UPDATE: According to our journalist in the Joburg CBD, a lot of foreign owned shops on Bree streets have closed their doors after rumors of xenophobic attacks taking place in the city.
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, told news24 that they are monitoring the situation. He said: “We have observed that many of them are closing their shops. Why they are doing that we cannot confirm right now. The situation is being monitored closely,” Minnaar said.
We have received reports of xenophobic attacks taking place in the Joburg City.
Our journalist is currently on his way to the scene. Updates to follow as more information becomes available.
Below are some tweets about what is happening in the city:
UPDATE JHB CBD : CARLTON CENTRE WAS A FIRE DRILL WITH RELEVANT EMERGENCY RESPONSES. EVACUATION IN OUR CURRENT STATE WAS READ AS VIOLENCE.
— Uzzi04 (@uzzi_004) April 15, 2015
Most shops have closed in the JHB CDB. But no violence or looting. @ewnreporter @Abramjee @CityofJoburgZA pic.twitter.com/vw66Dpg0SB
— FASDA (@FasdaProtect) April 15, 2015
A few shops still remain closed but a lot have started to open again in the JHB CBD. @ewnreporter @CityofJoburgZA @crimeairnetwork
— FASDA (@FasdaProtect) April 15, 2015
Great. Now it's flared up in Jhb Cbd. #xenophobia
— Rhywle (@Jozz_F) April 15, 2015
"@TheeAndre: #Xenophobia just hit Joburg CBD. Mobs looting foreign owned shops & threatening more. *sigh*" smh
— 32 Karat 🇿🇲 (@32Karat_) April 15, 2015
#XenophobicAttacks now in Joburg CBD…..will this country ever experience peace, geez ain't we all human???
— Sharmain Cuphane (@SharmainCuphane) April 15, 2015
#Xenophobia has joburg CBD on edge, shops starting to close their shutters.
— Yasin Ansari (@yasinansari) April 15, 2015
Joburg CBD, a report that police's on the ground as crowds threaten to close foreigners' shops. I was there abt 1 hr ago #xenophobicattacks
— S. Nkola Matamba (@Simeon_5) April 15, 2015
JUST IN: Reports of businesses run by foreigners in Joburg CBD now being closed amid fears of #Xenophobia. A mob allegedly making threats
— Cathy Mohlahlana (@CathyMohlahlana) April 15, 2015
