Foreigners hide at cop station

2009-07-23 20:05

Johannesburg - About 30 foreign nationals sought refuge at the Balfour police station fearing for their lives, Mpumalanga police said on Thursday.

Captain Leonard Hlathi said they had been at the police station since Wednesday.

"Residents in the Siyathemba Township went on a rampage and threw stones at the foreigners, who then went to the police station because that was where they felt safe."

Shops were looted and tyres burnt along roads during service delivery protests in the area. A group of residents also threw stones at local Mayor Lefti Tsotetsi's home on Wednesday and allegedly attempted to set it alight.

"They lit the garage and hoped it would spread to the rest of the house, but the police quickly responded and the fire was contained."

The home was under construction at the time and the mayor was not there. Police arrested one person at the scene.

Police and other roleplayers had helped to clean the area after the rampage. No injuries were reported.

"We do not condone this sort of behaviour and anyone participating in such a rampage will be arrested."
 

- SAPA