Violence has once again erupted in Cape Town, South Africa, as students took to the streets to protest against the presence of foreign nationals in schools. The unrest began on Wednesday, May 27, at Masibambane High School and Hector Peterson High School in Kraaifontein, where large groups of learners abandoned their classrooms and marched through the streets, disrupting normal school activities.
Footage shared on social media showed students in uniform running through roads, chanting, and causing disruption. The situation escalated when some roadside fruit sellers were reportedly attacked and their goods looted. Police confirmed that the protest turned violent after some learners allegedly assaulted a foreign national and targeted informal traders. There were also reports of stones being thrown at passing vehicles, including cars belonging to school staff.
Police Intervention
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk stated that officers were called in around 8:30 a.m. after large groups of students began protesting over the presence of foreign nationals in schools. According to reports, the crowd later moved towards the Kraaifontein Police Station, further disturbing public order and affecting nearby shops and stalls before security forces intervened.
Van Wyk said, “Learners threw stones at passing vehicles and vandalised roadside stalls as they moved through the neighbourhood to mobilise more pupils from other schools.” The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that the disturbance started at Masibambane Secondary School before spreading to nearby schools and surrounding communities.
Investigations Underway
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident and are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further violence. This latest protest adds to the recurring tensions over immigration in South Africa, where anti-foreigner sentiments have often boiled over into violence.
Previous Xenophobic Incidents
In a related development, South African police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters in Durban during renewed anti-immigration demonstrations targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals. The protesters, including members of political and vigilante groups, accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs and worsening insecurity. Some residents blamed corruption and rising unemployment for deepening social frustrations.
Authorities responded swiftly as tensions escalated amid fears of looting and violence. However, observers warned that persistent economic hardship could continue to fuel anti-foreigner sentiments across parts of South Africa.
Earlier, two Nigerians identified as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew were killed in South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions. The Nigerian Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, stated that Emmanuel died after allegedly being assaulted by South African National Defence Force personnel, while Andrew was later found dead after his arrest following an altercation with metro police officers. The Consulate demanded a transparent investigation into both deaths.
