Violent attacks by South Africans against foreigners in Plettenberg Bay emanated from a march that took place on Tuesday, Western Cape police said on Friday.
”According to the information police received, individuals in the community demonstrated their dissatisfaction regarding foreigners taking job opportunities from them,” said Captain Malcolm Pojie.
He said locals marched to the Plettenberg Bay municipality to complain about business and job opportunities they claim were taken by foreigners on Tuesday.
Later that evening in Qolweni informal settlement, the locals gathered and started ransacking and assaulting foreigners who were believed to be from Somalia.
A special investigation team was established and police were deployed in the area to sustain public order over the weekend.
More than 40 people were arrested when they gathered outside KwaNokuthula township.
The foreigners say the violence against them is taking place in all the towns in the southern Cape.
Word on the street is that at least 13 foreigners have been killed since last Monday. But police say they are currently only investigating one murder after the body of an unknown man was found. Police say these reports can only be regarded as rumours at this stage.
Charges of robbery, housebreaking and assault are being investigated against the group that was put in custody on Friday afternoon.
Large numbers of police officers from the surrounding towns have been deployed in Plettenberg Bay, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported. — Sapa