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UNHCR concerned over recent looting of foreign-owned shops in S. Africa

Xinhua, January 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday voiced concern over the recent spate of violence and looting in South Africa that mainly affected foreigners, including refugees and asylum seekers.

"It is very concerning that people have lost their lives in the violence and many refugees and asylum-seekers have lost their livelihoods," UNHCR's Officer-in-Charge for Southern Africa, Veronica Modey-Ebi said.

According to information provided by the South African Police Services (SAPS), two people have lost their lives in the violence, including a 14-year-old South African boy who was allegedly shot by a shop owner and a 19-year-old youth who was allegedly shot by police.

Over 120 people have been arrested on various charges and many shops have been looted.

Earlier on Friday, South African police vowed to take strong action against those people involved in widespread looting in Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg.

"We have strengthened police deployments throughout Soweto and other affected areas," police commissioner Lesetja Mothiba said at a press briefing in Soweto.

"We are pleased to report that after the flare-up yesterday afternoon, the situation was relatively calm overnight," he said.

The UNHCR commended the response made by the South African authorities and the police to try to contain the violence and looting and encouraged them to continue with their efforts to restore peace in the affected areas.

"While we appreciate the efforts made so far, UNHCR is calling on the government to continue to do all it can to prevent any future incidents," Modey-Ebi said in a statement. Endi