Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says three Ethiopian nationals who fired guns in KwaZulu-Natal have appeared in court. Image credit supplied
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says police have arrested three Ethiopian nationals who fired guns in KwaZulu-Natal during this week’s unrest. According to Cachalia, the three Ethiopians arrested have already appeared in court.
Cachalia spoke at a media briefing by the inter ministerial committee on migration in Pretoria on Sunday. Reports say the men allegedly fired shots at protesters who oppose illegal immigration. However, Cachalia did not say which court the men appeared in or what charges they face.
He also questioned why the men had guns in the first place. He asked why they were armed and why they fired their weapons.
Why the three Ethiopians arrested matter to government
Cachalia used the incident to send a firm message to foreign nationals. He said South Africa cannot have fiefdoms where groups take control of areas and confront South Africans. In addition, he warned foreign nationals, especially those in the country illegally, not to take matters into their own hands. According to Cachalia, confronting protesters will only make their situation worse.
At the same time, he told South Africans that their responsibility is to obey the law. He stressed that police will act against anyone who breaks the law, regardless of nationality.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, echoed that message. She said government acts against illegal actions by South Africans and foreign nationals alike, because a crime is a crime. She also condemned the looting of small businesses, including a KwaZulu-Natal beauty business that employed 22 people.
Furthermore, Kubayi criticised protesters who demanded that people prove their nationality during the unrest. She asked what right anyone had to question her about her nationality, and she reminded the public that the Constitution protects everyone equally.
Meanwhile, police have arrested 30 people since Thursday in connection with public violence. Of those, 25 were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal and five in Gauteng. They face charges that include public violence, illegal gatherings, obstruction and resisting arrest. According to Kubayi, the suspects include alleged ringleaders who threatened to disrupt football matches in Durban.
Cachalia also rejected claims that KwaZulu-Natal police favoured Zulu speaking suspects during the Durban protests. He said there was absolutely no truth to the claim. Instead, he credited police with restoring stability to the province.
The unrest began after Home Affairs issued a directive on 28 September that told refugee reception offices to accept new asylum applications, including from people who entered the country illegally. Last Thursday, protesters torched 14 vehicles in Durban and 10 in Soweto, and looters targeted foreign owned shops. Home Affairs withdrew the directive on Friday.
As a result, the committee has now ruled that no department may issue immigration directives without consulting it first. Government also plans to ask the courts for a supervisory order to oversee how it carries out the Constitutional Court judgment on asylum applications.
Separately, authorities are investigating who may be funding efforts to use the immigration debate to push other agendas. Police remain on high alert across the country.
Read more