Xenophobic protests turn violent
XENOPHOBIA has once again reared its ugly head in Limpopo, with the burning of houses and vehicles, just a week before the local government elections
A multi-billion rand project, the Medupi power station, was put at risk when a group of about 15,000 contract workers yesterday set four houses and two offices at the station alight and torched a bus and police vehicle.
Some workers allegedly blocked gates to the station, demanding that all Korean and Chinese nationals be fired as they were stealing jobs from locals.
The demonstrators allegedly demanded that foreigners leave the area immediately "in peace before they left in pieces".
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said by noon yesterday entry to the station was restricted as violent outbreaks had increased.
Workers threw objects such as petrol bombs and stones into buildings.
Mulaudzi said no arrests had been made yet but extra police had been deployed to quell the situation. He said the damages caused by the fire could be estimated at R500000.
Lephalale municipality mayor Rosian Mogotlane, who was not in the province during the protest , undertook to investigate whether the incidents were related to xenophobia .
The incidents took place barely two weeks after a number of Pakistanis in Lepelle-Nkumpi outside Polokwane were attacked.
This was after a young girl was allegedly raped by a Pakistani in his house. About three shops were set alight and more than 15 Pakistanis were temporarily housed at a police station in Lebowakgomo, Polokwane.
tpaz
Finally xeno against the foreign whites(Ukarain, chinese, pakistan, russian, etc) and NOT our black brothers!!!!!Report Abuse
takoskonvict
next time chop their small heads off. they are stealing your jobs. it is high time we fight fire with fire.Report Abuse
candilious
@doggxo not really hey. Thats where africans can improve on their own products and start to export them out of the country instead of foreigners reining in on our Premises. Dont u think?Report Abuse
Nys1
The problem with SA is that we've got to much freedom .....thats why we find ourself in such situations ....Report Abuse
ApelMankotsana
It sounds xenophonic if Chinese are working in our mines and not xenophobic if China is highly investing in South Africa. SA has just being admitted as the BRIC member three weeks ago.Report Abuse
TSHEPAAAAAA
South Africans go to school and fix your CV's and stop crying like babies black people rea tswafa maan.Report Abuse
Ubufebe
We are Fncked as a nation. You wanna bet that these foreigners will do a better job at half the price and thats why they are brought in. We should all just go on Fnckin welfare.Report Abuse
