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Eight Nigerian nationals were arrested in Kimberley after attacking police members, in addition to breaking windows at a police station and damaging police vehicles.
At the time of the arrest on Thursday evening, 18 April, police members were tracing information on one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs, said Col Cherelle Ehlers, police spokesperson.
While conducting this search in the CBD, a large group of Nigerians started attacking police members. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three were arrested for public violence and detained at the Kimberley Police Station.
During the processing of information, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.
Another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate.
The operational commander warned the group to disperse. However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles.
Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.
The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, welcomed these arrests.
Otola condemned this behaviour and stated that those who prevent police from exercising their duties will be dealt with harshly.
“We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the details of the suspects and working with the Department of Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country. Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape,” she emphasised.
