South African authorities have blamed disinformation for anti-migrant protests that turned violent in two cities, Reuters reports. The unrest unfolded in Soweto and Durban, where demonstrators opposed to illegal immigration gathered and clashes broke out.
According to Reuters, the protests were linked to false information circulating ahead of the demonstrations. The South African government has not named the specific claims involved.
Coverage of the events describes widespread damage. eNCA reported that shops were looted in Soweto as the protest turned violent. In Durban, the Mail & Guardian said the situation became volatile, with several vehicles set alight and shops looted. IOL put the number of vehicles torched at 23, citing police efforts to contain the unrest in both Soweto and Durban.
Police responded by pulling in reinforcements. SABC News reported that KwaZulu-Natal police called in officers from elsewhere in the Durban metro area to help manage the situation. The South African Police Service has been working to bring the unrest under control, according to IOL.
The violence follows a pattern of tension around migration in South Africa, though the material available does not detail what specifically triggered this round of protests beyond the government's disinformation claim.
What to watch next: whether authorities identify and act on the disinformation they blame, and whether police can prevent further looting and vehicle burnings in Soweto and Durban.
