The mob going to foreign owned shops in Durban CBD.
Law enforcement and security companies have been deployed to Durban CBD following an outbreak of anti-immigrant violence, looting, and mob attacks targeting foreign nationals, on Monday afternoon.
Denzil Govender of Ground Zero Search and Rescue, confirmed the incident and the deployment of all services to the Durban CBD to monitor the situation.
"A group of about 20 protesters is actively moving through the Durban CBD, causing widespread disruption. The group is armed with sticks, wearing face coverings, and aggressively forcing businesses to close," he said.
Govender said the group was also seen chasing pedestrians and banging on shop fronts, forcing owners to close the shops.
"The mob is targeting businesses, and demanding shop owners to show them their identity documents. We can confirmed the sightings of sticks and face coverings from the mob members," he said.
Govender revealed that the affected areas include Dr Prixley kaSeme Street, Ruseel Street, St George Street, Broad Street, Pine Street, Grey Street, Victoria Streets and Inkosi Albert Street.
"SAPS has been informed about the incident. A SAPS vehicle was spotted on Dr Prixley basement Street, and it turned around and began following the mob," he said.
He advises the public to avoid above mentioned streets as some of them have been closed.
"We encourage business owners to not engage with the mob. Be aware that the group is demanding identity documents. Business owners must prioritise the safety staff and stay indoors. Treat the streets as hostile. Keep monitoring local security channels for the group's current location," said Govender.
A passerby who witnessed the incident and asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that a group of about 20 men were terrorising shop owners on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street.
"I saw a group of men carrying the sticks, approached the shops on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street and demanded owners to close the shops. The men hit the shop owners and staff with sticks before moving away," he said.
He mentioned that the shop owners and staff did not suffer serious injuries.
"The members also took cash and other items from the shops before running away," he said.
Colonel Boysie Zungu of Durban Metro Police, said they were not aware of the incident.
"We have not received any reports about the incident. But, we will follow up," he said.