Johannesburg - Eleven people were arrested at Jeppestown hostel in the Johannesburg CBD after police raided the premises following a spate of attacks on foreign nationals and looting of shops.
Gauteng police said bags of dagga and stolen property were seized.
“We will continue this operation after identifying more hotspots across the province. The army was there as backup during the raid,” police spokesman Lieutenant Kay Makhubela said.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, accompanied by State Security Minister David Mahlobo, announced the deployment of the army during a visit to Alexandra, where Mozambican street hawker Emmanuel Sithole was stabbed to death at the weekend and a Zimbabwean couple were shot and wounded at their house on 19th Avenue on Monday night.
The 33-year-old man and his 22-year-old girlfriend were both wounded in the upper body and rushed to Charlotte Mxenge Hospital.
Police said the motive for the attack on the couple had not been established, although the suspects ran away after shooting them, without stealing anything.
The SANDF spokesman General Xolani Mabanga said on Tuesday that police would remain in charge of operations to protect foreigners but soldiers would be sent into specific areas when requested for help.
The unrest that started in Isipingo, Durban three weeks ago has so far has claimed the lives of at least seven foreigners and seen hundreds return home with the help of the local embassies.
ANA