South Africans burn down houses of Nigerians, other African immigrants

At least 15 houses either belonging or rented by foreigners, especially Nigerians, have been burnt by angry demonstrators in, Rosettenville, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Police used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, but the protesters were not deterred.

Two houses were alleged to have been burnt during the protest in the region, police tried to contain the angry crowd, but were unable as they continued to burn down more houses belonging to drug lords in the region.

The residents are angry that foreign nationals had turned the neighborhood into a drug haven.

Africa Review on Sunday said some shops belonging to foreign nationals in the area were also looted.

South Africa residents in the area claim Nigerians had illegally taken over most properties and turned them into drug and prostitution dens.

The African Diaspora Forum chairperson, marc Gbaffou who confirmed the attacks blamed Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba for his comments.

In early December, he had mentioned that illegal immigrants in the country should be treated as criminals.

On Friday he said foreign nationals were using girls as young as nine as prostitutes in drug houses.

More than 10 houses burnt in Rosettenville protest https://t.co/PBniKnk1z0

— News24 – SouthAfrica (@News24_SA) February 11, 2017

South Africa police have arrested a man found in one of the houses that were set ablaze in the area.

However, residents have accused the police of using unnecessary force on protesters.