Xenophobic attacks cause unrest in Joburg

JEPPESTOWN -  Xenophobic violence which flared up overnight, led to police using deadly force on residents, who were demanding foreigners to leave the country. 

Lenyaro Sello, a journalist @eNCAnews, tweeted this photo, showing the aftermath of the violence.

UPDATE: 17 April 2015, 10:15am – According to reports twitter, it is believed that xenophobic crowds are chanting outside the hostel. Our journalist is at the scene. Updates to follow.

According to EWN, locals barricaded roads in the area with rocks and burning tyres, demanding foreigners to leave the country.

Many foreign owned shops within the Joburg CBD were looted and vandalised, with some foreigners opting to stay in the area, to protect their belongings.

The violence came just hours after Mayor Parks Tau released a statement which denied violence in the area. According to the statement, there was a Metro Police operation in support of a SARS business visit in the area, which had a high police presence. Locals and foreigners in the area believed the police presence was due to threats of xenophobic attacks.

It is believed that 12 people have been arrested.

View some tweets about the xenophobic attacks below:

 

 

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