Western Cape police fired rubber bullets to disperse about 400 Riviersonderend residents who went on a rampage, attacking and looting shops owned by Somali nationals.
"It was not a xenophobic attack. Residents were angry because police had found a body of a 20-year-old in the bushes. The man was reported missing in December and was last seen with Somalis," Inspector November Filander said on Tuesday.
The residents mobilised and submitted a request for a march, but the municipality denied them permission. Residents went ahead anyway and police intervened when the march turned violent and the locals started looting Somali-owned shops at 8pm on Monday.
Police fired rubber bullets at the crowd, injuring one person.
A 30-year-old woman was arrested for public violence.
About 20 Somali nationals fled to the local police station for refuge.
Police managed to calm the situation down at 10pm and they kept a strong presence in the area, securing shops owned by Somalis.
On Tuesday morning the Somalians moved to neighbouring areas. - Sapa
"It was not a xenophobic attack. Residents were angry because police had found a body of a 20-year-old in the bushes. The man was reported missing in December and was last seen with Somalis," Inspector November Filander said on Tuesday.
The residents mobilised and submitted a request for a march, but the municipality denied them permission. Residents went ahead anyway and police intervened when the march turned violent and the locals started looting Somali-owned shops at 8pm on Monday.
Police fired rubber bullets at the crowd, injuring one person.
| 'It was not a xenophobic attack' |
About 20 Somali nationals fled to the local police station for refuge.
Police managed to calm the situation down at 10pm and they kept a strong presence in the area, securing shops owned by Somalis.
On Tuesday morning the Somalians moved to neighbouring areas. - Sapa
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