On Thursday, April 18, 2024, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested eight Nigerian nationals following an incident at a police station in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
According to SAPS, the incident began when police officers investigated a tip about a Nigerian national allegedly possessing drugs. During the search, a large group of Nigerians attacked the officers. Police responded with rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, SAPS Northern Cape provincial spokesperson, stated that one suspect was arrested for drug possession, while three others were detained for public violence. “During processing, the suspects damaged windows at the station, leading to additional charges of malicious damage to property,” Ehlers said.
Moments later, another group of Nigerians approached the police station and threatened retaliation. The operational commander ordered them to disperse, but they damaged police vehicles as they did so. Four more Nigerian nationals were arrested for malicious damage to property.
Ehlers informed journalists that SAPS is assessing the extent of damage to its vehicles. “It was a chaotic situation,” she added.
Northern Cape provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, praised the arrests and condemned the incident. “We will not tolerate such lawless behavior,” Otola said. “We are working with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the legal status of the suspects.”
Otola emphasized that SAPS will continue to uphold the law in the Northern Cape province. CONTINUE READING
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