Police have denied reports of xenophobic attacks in Cape Town after messages went viral on social media on Monday.
This after cops arrested 30 people when violence erupted in Samora Machel in Philippi on Sunday.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut, said the bodies of a 32-year-old woman and an unidentified man were found on the premises of a shop looted during the violence.
“The police intervention saw a total of 25 people arrested for looting a local chain grocery store, where extensive damage was caused,” Traut said.
“An additional five people were arrested for being in possession of groceries and a deep freezer when houses were searched in the area.”
Traut said “Operation Lockdown” had stabilised the area.
SPOKESPERSON: Andre Traut
The suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court this week.
Meanwhile in Bellville on Monday, panicked shop owners and stall holders closed up shop and fled the area.
But Brigadier Novela Potelwa slammed mense for spreading false information and causing unnecessary panic.
“Police in the Western Cape wish to refute claims of xenophobic attacks and/or looting of businesses in the Bellville area.
“Bellville police were called out to an incident where two men were involved in a fight at the Middestad Mall (Monday) afternoon.
“The situation was quickly resolved.
“Due to the location’s close proximity to the Bellville taxi interchange, the incident was misconstrued to be an attack on businesses owned by foreign nationals in the area.”
Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed there were no attacks in Du Noon either, saying it hasn’t been reported.