ANC to visit East Rand after xenophobic attacks

The ANC leadership will visit problem areas in Tembisa after xenophobic attacks which erupted in the area last night.

The Alliance leadership will meet at the Tembisa Council Chambers in a few hours and then visit some informal settlements that have been affected. This comes after xenophobic attacks spread to several informal settlements on the East Rand.

Police say since last night and the early hours of today, residents in Thokoza, Tembisa, Rabie Ridge and Boksburg have been demolishing and burning shacks belonging to foreigners. The re-inforced police presence in Alexandra and Diepsloot appears to have calmed the situation, but the violence has moved elsewhere. Police Captain Joseph Ndoro says police have had their hands full in Thokoza especially.

Meanwhile, about 300 displaced foreigners are being accommodated at the Thokoza Auditorium Hall after a series of xenophobic attacks in the area. Councillor Nkosi Mathebula says Ekhuruleni Emergency Services and the Red Cross are providing food and medical care to them.