A total of 30 suspects has been arrested for their links to public violence, malicious damage to property and resisting arrests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. SAPS confirmed that 25 people were arrested in KZN and five people in Gauteng after violence erupted.
Those arrested include individuals identified as ringleaders, who allegedly threatened to disrupt the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. Since Thursday, 14 vehicles were torched, two houses were set alight, and several shops were looted.
The protests stem from growing anger over Pretoria’s recent court ruling that allowed certain undocumented migrants to apply for asylum. That directive was withdrawn on Friday. However, anti-illegal immigration protestors have vowed to continue making Durban ungovernable, citing the ongoing illegal immigration issue in the country.
On Thursday, violent demonstrations erupted in the Durban CBD where 14 cars were torched and several shops looted. The violence was a catalyst for further demonstrations leading into Friday where three houses and more shops looted.
Meanwhile, SAPS senior leadership stressed that they will not allow threats, intimidation or unlawful conduct to undermine public safety. The military has been deployed to parts of KwaZulu-Natal to stabalise tension-high areas.
