Four arrested after anti-immigration protests in Joburg CBD

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Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni has confirmed four people have been arrested following Friday’s anti-immigration protests in Joburg’s CBD.

Mthombeni said the four are believed to be ringleaders for the demonstration and face charges including inciting violence, among others.

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The arrests follow tensions earlier when police fired rubber bullets while attempting to disperse the crowd near the KwaMai-Mai precinct.

The group earlier marched from the Constitutional Court, chanting against foreign nationals and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mthombeni said that the crowd has since dispersed, but police remain on high alert.

“We managed to crack the whip, arresting 4 people. As I’m speaking to you, they are behind our vans. What happened is that these individuals were clearly seen leading some crimes and leading other people to do so; I would say it’s an incitement of violence.”

Mthombeni has warned protesters against illegal protest action, saying police will crack the whip against those who break the law.

Mthombeni was speaking in the Johannesburg CBD, where police earlier fired rubber bullets to disperse anti-illegal immigration protesters.

He further added that officers would remain on standby and are prepared to respond should there be any further action.

“When we arrest these people, you’ll face the music alone. You might be 500 or a thousand people converging; ultimately, at the end of the day, you misbehave, you loot, you damage the properties of the city, I am saying that they are forewarned and they must not start with us,” said Mthombeni.

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