5 dead and hundreds arrested for riots and looting in South Africa | Chronic

At least five people have died and 100 have been arrested in the past three days in the Johannesburg metropolitan area of ​​South Africa, which is undergoing a wave of riots and xenophobic corporate looting. .

The incidents, which have been recorded since Sunday, concern occupied areas of Johannesburg and at least five suburban towns (Jeppestown, Malvern, Hillbrow, Alexandra and Tembisa), according to police sources quoted by the EFE news agency.

The five dead were confirmed by the Minister of Security, Bheki Celeafter visiting some of the affected areas and meeting neighbors.

Most of the 100 arrests were recorded in Jeppestown and Malvern, where the first incidents occurred Sunday after the death of three people in the fire of a busy building, police said in a statement. .

Police have reinforced its presence in the affected areas and the situation seems to have improved during this day, but the head of government of Gauteng Province, David MakhuraHe said that he did not rule out asking for military reinforcements if the situation deteriorated again.

The disturbances are part of xenophobic aggressions whose main objective is the immigrant-led enterprises, a recurring phenomenon in South Africa.

In this context, the President, Cyril Ramaphosaand other authorities have asked the population to remain calm and not to retaliate.

Other African governments have also sent condemnation messages and requests for caution to their South African-based citizens.