Friday, June 21, 2013

Strong police presence after protests in Wallacedene

Imogen Vollenhoven
21 June 2013

Calm has been restored in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein this is after protest broke out on Monday after residents claimed RDP house were being sold to people from other areas. 

Several businesses owned by locals and foreign nationals, mostly Somalis and Chinese, were looted as a result of the unrest in the area.  A strong police presence is still being maintained in the area. 

Police Spokesperson Andre Traut said that since the violence erupted on Monday in the area regarding housing disputes, 55 suspects have been arrested on Wednesday on charges of public violence.

 Traut added that they are due to make a court appearance in Kuilsriver on Monday the 24 of June.

Meanwhile Refugee support group, People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty Director Braam Hanekom said they are not confused that the 55 people arrested are really the people involved in the public violence.

Hanekom said that it is important that the police to do a diligent job in protecting the rights of refugees and all South Africans as well.

“Unfortunately it appears that on the night of the mass looting that occurred the police failed to intervene decisively and later went on a rampage identifying or trying to identify people to detain,” added Hanekom.

He also explained that it was too late when these people were arrested, they were not arrested when they needed to be and they were not interfered with by the police when they were looting.

Furthermore he said that they feel the detentions were done to show face as such.

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