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Hundreds arrested for violent riots outside Home Affairs in Pretoria

Source: Sowetan, 14/01/2016

A group of 287 people have been arrested for throwing stones and
damaging property at the Marabastad Home Affairs department on
Wednesday morning, Gauteng police said.

Police spokesperson Captain Tshekiso Mofokeng said the group of
protesters had gathered outside the department at about 09:00. Police
were called to the scene and arrived at about 11:00.

"[A total of] 287 people were taken in and one of them was charged
with damage to property, after a police vehicle was damaged," Mofokeng
said.
He said the other 286 were still being held as part of an
investigation into the matter and it was not yet clear whether they
would also be charged.

Department of home affairs spokesperson, Mayihlome Tshwete, said the
group caused disruptions when home affairs officials began assisting
foreign nationals from the SADC region.

Foreign nationals from other African regions were demanding to be
helped as well. "Home Affairs processes different regions of Africa on
different days of the week," Tshwete explained.

Management at the facility decided to process some SADC nationals who
had not been dealt with on the previous day, which resulted in foreign
nationals from other regions showing their displeasure through
violence.

"We are urging the various groups not to get involved in violence
because it is not going to work in their favour. It is not to say that
those who are unhappy are not warranted, it is just to say you do not
voice your displeasure with violence," said Tshwete.

He said this applied to both South Africans and foreign nationals.

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