Five days after South Africa’s Gauteng Province erupted into mindless xenophobic attacks that have left 10 people dead, more than 400 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and subsequent looting of property, the police confirmed on Thursday.
The violence that has led to looting of property and the death of eight South Africans and two foreigners has rocked the country’s most industrialised province where businesses mostly owned by foreign nationals have been targeted.
On Thursday Gauteng Provincial Premier David Makhura said law enforcement agencies were working around the clock to restore peace and stability in the country’s economic hub of Johannesburg and its surrounding areas.
“Some 423 people have been arrested for violence and looting across the province. In Ekurhuleni District, a total of 89 arrests were made for public violence and two unlicensed firearms were also recovered,” Makhura said.
He said those who have been arrested would “face the full might of the law.”
“Our criminal justice system is ready to deal with perpetrators of violence, looting and lawlessness,” he said.
He pledged the Gauteng authorities would “continue to do everything within our power to ensure the safety of all who reside within our borders, citizens and foreign nationals, irrespective of their status.”
“There can be no justification for criminality and any grievances must be addressed within the confines of the law,” the premier said.
He emphasised that South Africa’s laws would be enforced, and there would be no hesitation in acting against criminal activity, the destruction of property and those found to be inciting violence.
NM/jn/APA