Eliot Mahlase
The objective of Operation Fiela is to maintain peace and order and not to attack foreigners, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said on Friday.
The SA Government News Agency quoted him as saying the government had succeeded in stabilising the communities that experienced violence in April.
“Through Operation Fiela we are claiming our communities so that our people can live in peace. We are creating law and order,” Radebe said.
“We want to create a conjunctive environment for all the people who are living in South Africa so that they can participate freely in economic and social activities,” he said.
The controversial operation was launched after xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, causing critics to say it was targeting foreigners.
Radebe told reporters in Pretoria the government had to act swiftly to eliminate criminals.
More than 3 914 people have reportedly been arrested in the operation so far, 1 650 of whom were foreign nationals.
Also read:
Operation Fiyela targeting only criminals
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