Gauteng acting Premier Qedani Mahlangu on Friday met with mayors in the province over the recent attacks on foreign nationals.

The meeting condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent attacks and looting of shops owned by foreign nationals. 

The meeting was briefed by the police on their ongoing efforts, working with other law enforcement agencies, to stabilise the situation and to prevent further attacks and damage to property.

Fourteen people have been arrested in the past few days on suspicion of their involvement in the attacks.

The police are continuously monitoring the hotspots around the province and will not hesitate to take action against those who violate other people’s basic human rights.

The attacks, which erupted in Durban a week ago, have since spread to other parts of the country, with the latest incidents reported in Gauteng over the past few days.

“Words cannot start to describe how ashamed we are that these acts of barbarism against our own brothers and sisters come so soon after we celebrated 20 years of freedom and democracy,” said acting Premier Mahlangu.

Government has appealed to the people of Gauteng to stop engaging in any violence. Residents are urged to report any attacks or planned attacks on foreign nationals to the police.

“Government appreciates the stance of various artists and sports stars who have openly condemned these acts … in our country.

“Government urges all South Africans who occupy positions of leadership in society to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner and refrain from making statements that may incite [violence],” said the Gauteng Provincial Government.

KZN students urged to speak out

Meanwhile, the Minister of Human Settlements and Chancellor of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Lindiwe Sisulu, has called on the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the student body leadership to stand firm against violence.

The Minister was in Umlazi for the graduation ceremony at MUT.

"Judging by your academic performance and that of all students here today, we are convinced that you have a responsibility to say NO to … violence being perpetrated by a few criminals in our country against our own brothers and sisters.

“l call on you to be vocal and to stand tall and loud in saying ‘NO, this cannot be done in our name, not in our country and continent’. We must isolate these criminals, arrest them and [send] them to prison," she said.