Residents in Eden Park allegedly forced five Ethiopian-owned spaza shops to close.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH
As anti-immigration marches spread across South Africa, the human toll of the unrest has become increasingly visible, with reports of vulnerable people allegedly being targeted, small businesses attacked and families living in fear.
According to Siyafana Sonke, violence allegedly escalated in several provinces as the demonstrations progressed, leaving communities shaken and prompting concerns over the response from law enforcement.
"In the past couple of hours marches have taken a volatile and violent turn in certain areas. This is most prominent in Johannesburg," the organisation said on Wednesday.
Some of the most serious incidents were allegedly reported.
In Hillbrow, shots were allegedly fired, journalists allegedly came under attack, a car was allegedly set alight in Claim Street and the belongings of homeless people were reportedly burned.
Kliptown allegedly saw the army deployed after violence intensified, with widespread looting reported.
In Berea, people filming the unrest were allegedly pelted with stones, while an attempt was reportedly made to loot a bottle store.
Windows were allegedly smashed and shops targeted in Yeoville, while residents in Alexandra raised concerns about an apparent lack of police response after an injury was reportedly sustained outside Alex Mall.
In Germiston, reports alleged that pregnant women and children were dragged from their homes as undocumented immigrants were identified and handed over to police.
Shops were also reportedly looted in Cosmo City, while concerns were raised over an alleged absence of police as marchers gathered outside a large shop in Thembisa.
In Eden Park, residents allegedly forced five Ethiopian-owned spaza shops to close after claiming they had warned the owners to leave ahead of the nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests. Community members allegedly marched through the Greenfields area, ordering Ethiopian shop owners to pack up their stock and shut their businesses.
The affected shop owners reportedly said they legally paid rent to operate from the premises and argued that landlords, rather than tenants, should be held accountable for leasing the properties.
Residents, however, allegedly maintained that business opportunities should be reserved for unemployed South Africans.
Violence allegedly escalates across provinces as anti-immigration demonstrations intensify.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH
In Durban's Briardene area, an alleged attempt was made to break into a foreign-owned tuck shop, fires were allegedly lit and foreign nationals were reportedly harassed and asked to produce documentation.
In Sydenham, a woman was arrested after allegedly assaulting police officers who intervened to stop an alleged attack on a foreign national.
In Pietermaritzburg, four people were arrested for allegedly looting foreign-owned tuck shops in the Madiba Informal Settlement, while protesters allegedly gathered outside the East Street Hostel demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals from neighbouring buildings.
Siyafana Sonke raises alarm over alleged attacks on migrants and homeless people during protests.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH
Foreign nationals were reportedly intimidated and harassed as a march allegedly moved through Mangaung's CBD.
"There is also concern that police in some areas are standing by while homeless people’s belongings are being set alight as marchers pass, windows are being broken of buildings and foreign nationals intimidated," claimed Siyafana Sonke.
Police arrested a number of foreign nationals in Claremont, the Cape Town CBD, Mitchells Plain and Delft.
IOL has reached out to the police for comment.
IOL