Johannesburg - Seven men have been arrested for looting and burning Somali-owned shops in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape police said on Monday.
“We can confirm that seven suspects have since been arrested and charged with public violence. All the suspects are in their late 20s,” said Colonel Sibongile Soci.
They were expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Soci said no new incidents had been reported and the police were closely monitoring the situation.
At least 10 shops in KwaZakhele and New Brighton were attacked.
Brigadier Miranda Mills said two shops were looted and burnt in Ntintili street, and a car parked outside was also set alight at the weekend.
Several other shops were targeted on Sunday following the arrest of a Somali man accused of shooting dead a man outside a shop on Saturday evening.
“According to a witness there was an argument between the suspect and the victim. The [police] arrested the suspect and the firearm used... was recovered,” said Mills.
Police had since moved some foreigners out of the area.
Sapa