Tension has heightened in South Africa as protesting hostel dwellers took to the streets in the Eastern Johannesburg stating that they wants foreign nationals to leave their country.
SowetanLive reports that heavily armed protesters were seen in earlier on Sunday marched along Jules Street in the area, demanding that “foreigners must go back to where they came from”.
The marchers, who were armed with weapons such as knobkerries, were heading to Jules Park where former IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi is expected to address them. Last week shops owned by foreign nationals were looted and some set alight in the area.
The group of hostel-dwellers has maintained it wanted foreign nationals to leave, without indicating clear reasons for their call. The attacks on foreigners, more so the traders, in the past week have been condemned by government and President Cyril Ramaphosa. By Friday, at least seven people had died and over 400 people arrested over the violent clashes.
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Protesters from various hostels in eastern Johannesburg have begun marching along Jules Street. Carrying weapons, including knobkerries, the men sang, "foreigners must go back to where they came from". pic.twitter.com/SKbWqGePdz
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) September 8, 2019
