Johannesburg – A Nigerian national has been arrested for dealing in illicit drugs in Rosettenville, where 16 houses suspected of being brothels or drug dens were torched by protesters, Metro police said on Wednesday.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday during a stop and search operation in the area.
Residents protesting against drug dealing, prostitution and other crimes, which they largely blamed on Nigerian nationals, took to the streets on Saturday.
During the protests houses were set alight and police used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
Since the weekend protests more Metro police officers have been deployed to the area.
JMPD said an additional 63 police officers and 29 vehicles had been deployed to Rosettenville.
"Apart from the arrest of the drug dealer, the situation is calm and police are continuing with their stop and searches," said Minnaar.
The suspect will soon appear in court.