GRAPHIC IMAGES: CHAOS IN BELLVILLE - Stun grenades, looting and violent clashes erupt during anti-immigration march

Chaos erupted in Bellville's CBD yesterday as an anti-immigration protest turned violent, with looting, clashes, and police deployment. The demonstration, organized by Concerned Citizens, March and March, and Operation Dudula, started at the taxi rank and headed towards the police station. Concerned Citizens' chairperson, Siyabulela "Mjoli" Dukumbana, claimed the march was called urgently after a confrontation between South Africans and foreigners on Tuesday.

Organizers alleged the presence of foreign nationals with weapons, leading to tensions as the group progressed through Bellville. Dukumbana alleged that a confrontation with police preceded clashes with protesters and reported three Somali nationals arrested. However, the South African Police Service (SAPS) had not confirmed these claims by publication time.

The protest's purpose was to follow up on grievances from a previous march on July 8, where the groups demanded stricter immigration enforcement and policing of informal trading. The demonstration quickly turned violent, with marchers walking through the area when police intervened to disperse looters. Images showed injured individuals with bloodied faces, tear gas permeating the CBD.

Dukumbana claimed one group member was arrested for public disorder, while SAPS stated no arrests were made. Police remained in the area to monitor the situation following the day's heightened tensions.