By Zara Nicholson and Murray Williams
Police have been slammed for a heavily armed raid at one of Cape Town's most popular township restaurants.
But others have praised the action, saying scenes outside the restaurant regularly degenerate into "chaos".
More than 40 people, including a group of tourists and a Democratic Alliance councillor, were arrested at Mzoli's restaurant in Gugulethu on Sunday for "drinking in public".
Mzoli's is popular with celebrities, politicians and tourists. Patrons were astonished on Sunday when police began arresting people.
DA councillor Masizole Mnqasela was among those arrested when the drama unfolded at about 3pm.
Superintendent Billy Jones confirmed the arrests. He said they had been made for "drinking in public" after patrons had spilled out into the street.
"About 40 people were arrested for drinking in public and three were arrested for interfering with police doing their official duties," he said.
In recent months authorities have warned of a crackdown on illegal liquor outlets in an attempt to regulate the industry.
The police operation has been welcomed by ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha, who said: "As the ANC we totally support the police action. There is no way we can allow public drinking of that sort and the blocking of roads."
Mnqasela said: "I was in the restaurant where they have places for customers to sit. I saw cops harassing people, detaining them in the restaurant courtyard. They came to my table and ordered me to leave the place. They then put me in a van and locked it. They said I was obstructing justice.
"I'm very disappointed in the way the police carried out their duties," he said.
William Booth, the lawyer for a number of those arrested, said: "As far as I am concerned, the arrests were unlawful."
He said the restaurant's owner, Mzoli Ngcawuze, had paid R50 admission-of-guilt fines for those arrested.
Ngcawuze said he was "shocked" by the incident. "I only sell meat and people bring their own booze... I can't stop them."
One local leader praised the action. "People are concerned about the effect of the restaurant, the fact that the street is continually blocked," he said.