Kimberley police officers conducting a drug operation were attacked by a mob of Nigerian nationals.
Kimberley police shaken by Nigerian mob attack
During an operation aimed at apprehending a Nigerian national suspected of possessing illegal drugs, Kimberley police faced a violent backlash.
A large group of Nigerian individuals intervened, assaulting the officers. In response, the police used rubber bullets to manage the crowd and maintain order.
This initial conflict resulted in the arrest of one individual for illegal drug possession and three others for public violence.
The situation escalated at the Kimberley Police Station, where the suspects were taken for processing. Here, they damaged police station windows, leading to additional charges of malicious property damage.
Later, another group of Nigerians appeared at the station, threatening further violence, which prompted the Operational Commander to intervene and disperse the crowd.
Despite the warning, the departing group vandalised several police vehicles, leading to four more arrests.
Home Affairs reeled in to check suspects’ legal status
Following the tumultuous events, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, expressed strong disapproval of the attackers’ actions.
General Otola stressed the seriousness of obstructing police duties and assured that such behaviours would be met with strict legal repercussions.
He stated:
“We will not tolerate lawless behaviour. We are processing the suspects and collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain their legal status in the country.”
