Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has vowed decisive action against those responsible for burning vehicles, destroying property and attacking people amid escalating tensions linked to foreign nationals and asylum seekers in Soweto and Durban.
Dimpane said the South African Police Service (SAPS) would identify and investigate those responsible for the violence and arrest them where sufficient evidence exists.
“We will not tolerate lawlessness,” she said in a statement delivered in Soweto on Thursday evening.
The police chief confirmed that 10 vehicles had been burnt in Soweto, while 14 vehicles were torched in Durban, bringing the total to 24.
She also confirmed that three foreign nationals had been arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, saying the police would act against anyone who committed criminal offences, regardless of their nationality.
The violence comes amid community concerns over undocumented foreign nationals, asylum seekers and the implications of a recent Constitutional Court ruling concerning asylum seekers.
Dimpane urged residents to remain calm and allow the government to address the matter through constitutional and legal processes.
The Minister in the Presidency had briefed the nation earlier on the government’s approach to the court ruling, she said.
“We cannot solve these issues through violence,” Dimpane said, warning that intimidation, destruction of property and attacks on people would place lives at risk and cause further hardship for communities.
She stressed that the right to protest did not give anyone the right to commit crime, adding that grievances should be pursued through lawful channels.
Police reinforce deployments
Dimpane said the police had strengthened their response in areas affected by protests and possible unrest.
All provincial police commissioners, led by the head of organised crime, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, were meeting to assess the situation and coordinate the policing response.
The SAPS divisional commissioner for intelligence had also been instructed to reinforce intelligence gathering to identify emerging threats and guide police deployments.
Public Order Police deployments had been increased in areas experiencing protests, gatherings or indications of possible unrest.
Dimpane assured the public that the situation was being closely monitored and that police would adapt their operations as developments unfolded.
She warned that those found committing criminal offences could expect to be identified, arrested and brought before the courts where sufficient evidence existed.
“Whether you are a South African citizen or a foreign national, if you commit a criminal offence, you will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” she said.
Appeal against vigilantism
The acting national commissioner also appealed to residents not to take the law into their own hands, urging community leaders, traditional leaders, religious organisations and civil society to help calm tensions and prevent further violence.
She said police would protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and the public’s right to move around safely.
Dimpane reiterated that the SAPS would exercise restraint where required by law but would respond firmly to criminality and threats to public safety.
“South Africa must not be allowed to descend into violence,” she said.
