An ongoing protest of foreign nationals demanding to leave South Africa has turned into violence and chaos. A clip of what appears to be members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) forcefully pulling a baby away from a mother is currently causing outrage online.
Questions posed to Cape Town police spokesperson Novela Potelwa on whether or not the SAPS in the city is confident their officers aren’t using excessive force had not yet been responded to at the time of publication.
This follows news that police have been using water cannons to disperse foreign nationals camped outside the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cape Town.
Scenes of chaos have been reported, with police allegedly dragging foreign nationals accross the street.
The Waldorf Arcade at St George’s Mall in Cape Town was swarming with law enforcement who clashed with foreign nationals staging a sit-in at the UNHCR.
The sit-in has been ongoing since October 8, with over 5,000 refugees reportedly camping out and protesting over a lack of safety for migrants in the country.
Around 300 foreign nationals are reportedly protesting on Wednesday.
Scores of people have allegedly been injured due to the clash with law enforcement. Foreign nationals claim refugees are being pushed out of communities and are being discriminated against.
Chants from the foreign nationals can be heard, with many screaming “We want to go”.
Activist Zackie Achmat was interviewed by eNCA on the scene, and said he had personally seen police chase a doctor who was trying to help a woman in distress away.
Achmat and others were there in the hope of finding children who have been separated from their parents and gone missing.
The police are said to have responded in the area to a court order stating that some employees could not access their places of work due to the weeks-long sit-in by foreign nationals.
On October 18, a court order was granted by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court following an application by the landlord of the UNHCR building to evict the protesters.
Cape Town head of safety and security JP Smith told IOL the matter is out of his hands and involves the SAPS and national government’s department of home affairs.
“The owner of the property there has applied for a court interdict the interdict will likely be affected at some point by the South African Police,” he said.
UNHCR spokesperson Hélène Caux told the publication she acknowledge the issues raised by the refugees, adding that the UNHCR is working with South African authorities to attempt to provide protection, healthcare, education, and employment to refugees and asylum seekers.
According to her, roughly 268,000 refugees from countries such as Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia are currently being accommodated officially in South Africa.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when @SAPoliceService @CityofCT treat #refuguees like this. @amnestyusa @AmnestySAfrica @Julius@SAPoliceService @CityofCT treat #refuguees like this. @amnestyusa @AmnestySAfrica @Julius_S_Malema @CyrilRamaphosa @Refugees https://t.co/92gWFewjiD pic.twitter.com/ZcxOLROBZZ
— Bob Mwiinga Munyati (@BMunyati) October 30, 2019
[WATCH] *GRAPHIC WARNING* One of the #Refugees/Migrants arrested outside the UNHCR offices in Cape Town explains the police action was unwarranted. @etvNewsSA pic.twitter.com/TwfIaW1dt6
— Natalie Malgas (@nataliemalgas) October 30, 2019
[WATCH] It’s chaos outside the UNHCR offices in Cape Town where #Refugees&migrant labourers have been camping outside for weeks. Public Order Police have moved in to clear the street. @etvNewsSA pic.twitter.com/mkaS54Tuhv
— Natalie Malgas (@nataliemalgas) October 30, 2019
In other news – Simz Ngema moves on 2 years after death of her hubby Dumi Masilela
“It felt like I had a memorial service every time I did something to keep his memory alive.” Two years after the death of her husband Dumi Masilela, actress and singer Simphiwe Ngema is finally ready to start letting go.
Simphiwe who’s popularly known for playing Phindile on Isidingo started a new musical journey which she has used to honour her late husband. The star recently joined forces with Global Decaphfe for her most emotional single to date with a track and music video titled Thanda Ngempela. continue reading
Source: TheCitizen
