Foreigners forced to camp outside KZN police station

Foreign nationals, Coco Bishogo and his wife Ksai Ruvenga, who have been living in Isipingo for six years, said the incident was the second xenophobic attack the couple had experienced.

“I own a salon. This is how I am able to support my family. They have taken everything away from me,” he said.

Yesterday, hundreds of foreign nationals were allegedly driven out of their businesses by a mob armed with weapons, stones and knobkerries. The attacks come after King Goodwill Zwelithini gave a speech at a moral regeneration event in Pongola last week, Rising Sun Chatsworth reported.

In his address, Zwelithini said foreign nationals living in the country should be deported, as they were seizing economic opportunities meant for locals.

Denzil Reddy, Community Policy Forum chairperson and ward committee member said he was called to the station last night, where he saw more than 100 foreigners camping outside the police station.

“Our main objective is to now protect these residents. I aim to help them in any way possible,” he said.

Resident Daniel Dunia said a large group of men marched towards foreign nationals chanting, “The king said kwerekwere must go!” before breaking into and looting businesses.

“[They] destroyed foreigners’ vehicles and also beat up anyone who got in their way,” Dunia said.

Isipingo police spokesperson Captain David Ragavan said he could not confirm if the attacks were xenophobic. However, he said police were investigating.

“We are investigating cases of theft, assault, assault with GBH [and] damage to property. The cases are being investigated independently,” he said.

“We are trying to minimise damage to property, and we want this process to be done quick and swiftly. Two foreigners have been arrested for possession of dangerous weapons,” Ragavan added.

– Caxton News Service