Xenophobia: 22 face charges
2008-04-17 17:13
Johannesburg - Two more people were arrested early on Thursday morning for burning shacks and spaza shops belonging to foreigners in Mamelodi East, said Pretoria police.
Captain Sipho Mabena said 22 people altogether will now face charges including malicious damage to property and public violence.
On Wednesday, over 600 people marched to a local community soccer field after Mamelodi East residents allegedly looted spaza shops and burnt shacks belonging to foreigners in the area on Tuesday.
Mabena said on Wednesday that residents were blaming the Mozambican and Zimbabwean nationals for burning their own property.
People living in the burnt-down shacks were being temporarily housed at the Stanza Bopape local community hall.
The Red Cross was also providing assistance.
The arrested were all men aged between 22 and 40 years old and were in custody at the Mamelodi East police station.
Mabena said they would appear in court shortly.
- SAPA