New anti-immigrant wave rolls over South Africa, leading to violence and arrests

• Pretoria stood at the center of a new wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, where anti-immigrant protesters took part in marches and others looted at least 20 immigrants’ shops.
• At least 136 people were arrested during a march after police used tear gas and other dispersal tactics.
• Protesters have accused immigrants of bringing crime and sex work to South Africa as the nation experiences high levels of unemployment.

Read

“South African police break up anti-immigrant protests” (Reuters | February 2017)
“Pretoria brought to a standstill during anti-immigrant march” (News24 | February 2017)
“20 shops belonging to immigrants looted in South Africa” (The Guardian (Nigeria) | February 2017)

(Image Credit: James Oatway/Reuters)