MOSSEL BAY — Three people were killed and about 55 shacks burned to the ground during a violent weekend in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay, that saw sporadic attacks, alleged vigilante action and the displacement of scores of residents.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, George Public Order Police members, supported by local police, responded on 29 May to scenes of violence in which about 55 shacks were set alight in the Asla Park informal settlement of KwaNonqaba, allegedly by a group of people.

“The police deployments with local fire services and disaster management teams quelled the situation that resulted in the displacement of a number of people,” said Potelwa.

She said that in the early hours of 30 May, police were called out to a scene in the area where the body of a 27-year-old man was discovered with multiple injuries.

Potelwa said that shortly thereafter, another man with assault injuries was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.

“It was later determined that the two dead men aged 27 and 43, were Mozambican,” said Potelwa.

She further said that while investigations into the murders continue, no arrests have been effected yet.

In a separate incident, at approximately 03:00 on 31 May, KwaNonqaba police were called out to the New Rest informal settlement, where the body of an 18-year-old South African man was discovered in front of a shack.

“The victim had stab wounds and was declared dead by paramedics at 03:19,” said Potelwa.

She said that investigations into this murder are progressing with detectives searching for a known suspect.

Potelwa said that five suspects have been arrested since the violence broke out.

She said that two were charged with public violence and appeared in court on 1 June, where they were each granted bail of R1,000.

Three suspects are scheduled to appear in court on 2 June on charges relating to the possession of presumed stolen property.

Potelwa said that the South African Police Service respects the right of citizens to protest, however those who embark on such action are urged to do so within the confines of the law.

“When marchers or protesters engage in violent acts, including incitement of violence, police will not hesitate to act decisively,” said Potelwa.

“A further plea is made to community members and leaders to refrain from disseminating unverified information as that causes unnecessary panic and anxiety.”

Potelwa said that police deployments remain on high alert in the area in efforts to restore calm and order.

She said that no further incidents have been reported in the area since 1 June.

The Mossel Bay Municipality indicated that no further incidents of violence or damage to property have been reported since 31 May, as efforts continue to support people displaced by recent unrest in the KwaNonqaba area.

According to the municipality, Municipal Manager Colin Puren and Portfolio Chairperson for Community Safety, Councillor Leon van Dyk, visited municipal community facilities accommodating displaced persons.

The municipality made community facilities available from 29 May to provide temporary accommodation for those affected by the incidents.

For public safety reasons, the locations of the facilities housing displaced people have not been disclosed.

“Security personnel and additional law enforcement officers have been deployed at all municipal facilities being used to accommodate displaced persons,” the municipality said.

The municipality estimates that approximately 55 wood and iron structures have been torched in the KwaNonqaba area, resulting in the displacement of affected residents.

The municipality said the consulates of affected displaced persons have been activated to intervene and have visited the various locations to engage with those displaced.

“Some displaced people have already been relocated from municipal facilities to alternative locations by the relevant authorities. In addition, buses were scheduled to be made available from the afternoon of 1 June to transport displaced people,” the municipality said.

The municipality indicated that municipal officials from various departments, including Community Development, remain deployed and continue to assist with the coordination of humanitarian support efforts.

“Humanitarian assistance is being provided at the facilities by the Department of Social Development, non-governmental organisations, churches and other supporting organisations,” the municipality said.

The municipality further said displaced people are also receiving medical care and basic health services as required, while meals are being provided through the collective efforts of multiple organisations, NGOs, churches and community partners.

South Africa has been rocked by anti-migrant protests over the past months, fuelled by the anti-illegal immigration group March and March, which is threatening a national shutdown if all undocumented foreign nationals do not leave South Africa by 30 June.