This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On Monday, a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks erupted in Johannesburg, South Africa, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
According to reports, hundreds of locals were seen running across parts of the city's commercial hub, looting and burning down shops believed to be owned by African immigrants.
Police officers were forced to fire teargas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades in an attempt to stop the looting, but the motive behind the attacks remains unclear.
South Africa's police minister, Bheki Cele, addressed the media, terming the violence as a 'criminality rather than xenophobia.'
He stated, 'Xenophobia is used as an excuse. Nothing... has sparked any form of conflict between the South Africans and foreign nationals.'
As of Monday, 41 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks, which started in Jeppestown, an area near Johannesburg's central business district, before spreading to other parts of the city.
