1.15pm' South Africa's national police chiefKhomotso Phahlane says 156 people have been
arrested in various incidents during the anti-
foreigner march in Pretoria.
156 arrested as S'Africa anti-immigrant protests erupt in Pretoria
According to Phahlane, random acts of violence,
looting and destruction of property had occurred
during the protest.
However, it was unclear how many of those in
custody were South Africans and how many
foreigners.
Phahlane said anyone found to have been
inciting violence would be prosecuted.
Police disperse the protesters
S'Africa anti-immigrant protesters
Somalian protesters in Pretoria
S'Africa anti-immigrant protesters
1pm' Recall that President Jacob Zuma had called
for calm ahead of today's anti-immigrant march.
However, many unemployed South Africans
accuse foreigners of taking their jobs.
The main group behind the protests, Mamelodi
Concerned Residents, has blamed foreign
nationals for taking jobs and accused them of
being involved in prostitution rings and drug
cartels, accusations denied by immigrant
communities.
South Africa experienced its worst outbreak of
violence against foreigners in 2008, when more
than 60 people died.
Two years ago, similar xenophobic unrest in the
cities of Johannesburg and Durban claimed seven
lives as African immigrants were hunted down
and attacked by gangs.
12.50pm' The police are battling hard to keep
South Africans and foreigners apart
12.45pm' Foreigners in South Africa's capital,
Pretoria have stood their ground against a march
by residents.
A video shared on Twitter shows one man saying
that they do not want to fight but are "ready to
protect our property".
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