African Diaspora Forum calls for investigation into clashes between traders and police
SA’s embattled economy could be strained further if the crackdown on informal traders continues unabated, the African Diaspora Forum (ADF) warns
The forum has asked that an inquiry be launched to establish the facts of the matter.
This comes in the wake of rising tensions between inner-city traders in Johannesburg — many of them believed to be illegal immigrants — and authorities.
On August 1 a video went viral of vendors attacking police officers who had confiscated counterfeit goods in the city’s CBD. Authorities and political parties banded together to condemn the attack.
Last Wednesday the police, together with police minister Bheki Cele and Gauteng premier David Makhura, among other politicians, returned to the CBD. In subsequent raids counterfeit goods were confiscated, and hundreds of foreigners were arrested. The raid also reportedly uncovered an arms cache that included assault rifles and an AK47.
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