MAYHEM: Anti-immigrant protest erupted into violence and looting
Chaos erupted in the Bellville CBD yesterday as an anti-illegal immigration march descended into violent clashes, looting and a heavy police response, with scenes of bloodied faces, tear gas and stun grenades as tensions between South African protesters and foreign nationals boiled over.
Some protesters also alleged that live ammunition was fired during the confrontation. However, police had not confirmed these claims by late yesterday, nor had SAPS confirmed allegations from organisers that several people had been arrested.
The protest, which started at the Bellville taxi rank and proceeded towards the police station, was organised by Concerned Citizens and joined by members of March and March and Operation Dudula.
Siyabulela “Mjoli” Dukumbana, chairperson of Concerned Citizens, said the march was called urgently after what he described as a confrontation between South Africans and foreign nationals in Bellville on Tuesday.
