Looting of shops 'not linked to xenophobia'

FREE State police denied reports of xenophobia after shops belonging to foreigners were looted in two local towns since last week.

FREE State police denied reports of xenophobia after shops belonging to foreigners were looted in two local towns since last week.

This has left foreign businessmen displaced.

Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana blamed criminal elements in the area for the attacks. The shops were looted by people who claimed to be unemployed.

Khosana said the incidents could not be linked to xenophobia because some shops belonging to local businessmen had also been attacked.

Captain Stephen Thakeng also denied that incidents in Kutlwanong in Odendaalsrus, where 16 shops belonging to Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals were looted, were acts of xenophobia.

He said the shops were attacked by young people who were protesting against unemployment.

"We have attended to up to 16 cases of shops that were attacked," he said.

"The victims have been taken to a place of safety and we have managed to salvage some of their stock."

The police have arrested seven suspects found in possession of suspected stolen goods. They are expected to appear in court soon.