Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed arrests for looting and attempted looting as protests against foreigners continue.
Kamogelo Mogotsi, a police ministry spokesperson, issued a statement claiming law enforcement worked quickly to curb criminal activity and maintain public order, while most places remained peaceful.
The statement did not specify the location of the incident, but another post described it as a violent conflict between local inhabitants and foreign nationals in Jeppestown. 
“Shops were looted. Streets descended into chaos. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. At least one person was stabbed.”
The protests organised by groups including March and March brought major cities, including Pretoria and Johannesburg, to a standstill.
Mogotsi confirmed that the arrests of ‘several individuals’ occurred this morning.
“Whilst policing operations have been effective thus far, with demonstrations remaining largely peaceful across the country, police have responded to isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting,” she said.
SAPS say law enforcement continues to monitor the planned marches and is on ‘high alert, with heightened deployments in place to ensure public safety, protect businesses and critical infrastructure, and maintain law and order’.
Police have been instructed to act swiftly and decisively against anyone who engages in criminal activities, including looting, attempted looting, public violence, malicious damage to property, intimidation, or any other unlawful conduct, Mogotsi said.
The acting minister of police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, also reacted to the situation, saying, “We urge citizens to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful and lawful. Those who choose to exploit the marches to commit criminal acts will face the full might of the law. Police will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct.”
