Scenes of bloodied faces, looting, tear gas and stun grenades unfolded during a march involving Concerned Citizens, March and March and Operation Dudula.
Anti-xenophobia organisations have sounded the alarm following Wednesday’s violent clashes in Bellville, warning that the unrest reflects a broader rise in vigilantism and hostility towards foreign nationals.
The organising committee of Operation Ubuntu condemned the violence after scenes of bloodied faces, looting, tear gas and stun grenades unfolded during a march involving Concerned Citizens, March and March and Operation Dudula.
Operation Ubuntu is a coalition of more than 60 civil society organisations, community groups and social justice movements in South Africa campaigning against xenophobia, discrimination and anti-immigrant violence.
Wednesday’s unrest erupted after protesters marched from the Bellville taxi rank towards the police station to follow up on a memorandum previously handed to authorities over concerns including undocumented immigration, foreign-owned businesses and alleged drug dealing.
