Police investigate vehicle arson after unrest in central Durban

KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating unrest in central Durban, where 14 vehicles and several buildings were set alight on the evening of October 8. Officials were preparing talks about the situation the following morning.

SABC reported that Acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia and provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were expected to meet eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba. The report described a planned meeting rather than its outcome.

Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said on the morning of October 9 that nobody had yet been arrested specifically for the public violence. Investigators and intelligence officers were working to identify those responsible for burning vehicles and property.

Separately, police reported the arrest of three foreign nationals over an alleged assault on a marcher. Police said allegations about that assault preceded the outbreak of violence. Those arrests concerned a separate incident rather than the arson investigation.

At the time of Netshiunda’s morning comments, the situation was calm and there were no further reports of violence. Police maintained a presence in different parts of the central business district and remained on high alert for new incidents.