Police maintain strong presence in Diepsloot

Foreign nationals have sought refuge at the Diepsloot police station

Police have maintained a strong presence in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, throughout the night. The township has been a scene of sporadic, violent protests over the past two days, which is believed to be a spill-over from the violence seen in Alexandra Township since the beginning of the week.

Yesterday, mobs allegedly turned on foreign nationals living in the township. Police have confirmed that two people were killed in the violence in Diepsloot. Late last night, police swarmed the barricaded streets and used rubber bullets to disperse crowds assembling on street corners in the informal settlement. Police told the crowds they were looking for criminal elements and that their presence on the streets indicated that they were up to no good. Four people were arrested.

Foreign nationals have sought refuge at the Diepsloot police station. Although some have fled the township, police say 57 people were sent to a place of safety in Dainfern.

Meanwhile, the provincial ANC spokesperson, Nkenke Kekana, said that the party will be convening a community meeting today to get to the bottom of the situation.