Chaos erupted in Kraaifontein, South Africa, on Wednesday morning when an estimated 700 learners from two high schools took to the streets in protest, demanding the removal of foreign nationals from their schools and the country.
The learners, from Masibambane High School and Hector Peterson High School, allegedly assaulted a foreign national during the unrest and disrupted members of the public, including motorists and informal traders.
Video Footage Shows Looting
Video footage circulating on social media showed large groups of uniformed learners flooding the streets and looting fruit stalls along the roadside.
According to police, learners at one school threw stones at passing vehicles, while those at the other targeted staff vehicles belonging to school personnel. Some of the protesting learners also made their way towards the Kraaifontein police station while continuing to loot stalls and shops along the route.
Police Intervention
Western Cape police deployed Public Order Police to the area to manage the situation and escort learners back to their respective schools. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said officers were alerted to the protest at around 8:30 a.m. after a report of large groups of learners demonstrating over the presence of foreign nationals in schools.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed it was aware of the incidents, saying the disruption appeared to have started at Masibambane Secondary School before spreading to nearby schools. The department said the matter was under investigation.
Watch the video below:
