39 Arrested Over Soweto Looting Violence

For the past four days, more than 150 shops owned by foreigners have been broken into and their goods stolen.

South African’s now claim that the immigration department is the root cause of poverty and Unemployment in the country.

On Sunday, chaos erupted when a Somali shop owner killed a 19 year old South African boy following an argument over cell phone airtime.

According to lieutenant Key Makhubela, the number of those arrested has increased to 39 people.

The arrested are charged for looting shops owned by foreign investors in the country.

"They are continuing to loot but we are busy trying to escort those who want to leave the area." Key said.

Among those in custody are Somali Nationals who were found in possession of three unlicenced firearms.

The trio was also found in possession of fake South African identity documents.

The looting has so far spread to Mapetla, Dobsonville, Emdeni, Zola and Protea Glen overnight following a shooting in Snake Park, near Dobsonville.

The Lieutenant now says that they are working to contain the situation and are willing to help the foreign nationals who wish to leave.

By Musalia Wycliffe.