By Priya Ranchod
Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, visited Orlando, Soweto, on Thursday, 8 October 2026 following violent unrest that left 10 vehicles burnt, property damaged and residents concerned for their safety amid tensions involving local residents and foreign nationals.
Dimpane was accompanied by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni and Johannesburg District Commissioner Major General Nonhlanhla Kubheka.
The unrest reportedly involved an exchange of gunfire, while looting and the destruction of property were also reported.
Addressing the media in Orlando, Dimpane called on residents to remain calm and allow the government to address concerns surrounding asylum seekers and the implications of a recent Constitutional Court ruling through established legal and constitutional processes.
“The right to raise concerns and to protest does not give anyone the right to commit crime,” Dimpane said, stressing that grievances must be addressed through lawful channels.
She said police would not tolerate violence, intimidation, arson or the destruction of property. Anyone found to have committed a criminal offence would be dealt with in accordance with the law, regardless of whether they were a South African citizen or a foreign national.
Dimpane confirmed that 10 vehicles had been burnt in Soweto, while a further 14 vehicles had been torched in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. She also confirmed that three foreign nationals had been arrested in KwaZulu Natal in connection with the incidents there.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said police had received early warnings and deployed officers to affected areas, including the Home Affairs offices and the Hector Pieterson area in Soweto.
Describing the incidents as sporadic, Mthombeni said officers were responding to developments on the ground and assessing intelligence reports to identify areas where further unrest could occur.
During the media briefing, journalists questioned police about the number of arrests, injuries, alleged gunfire, social media incitement and plans to protect residents and government facilities.
Responding to questions about arrests, Dimpane said three foreign nationals had been arrested in KwaZulu Natal, while police in Gauteng were pursuing those suspected of involvement in the violence. She said officers had the capacity to investigate social media activity and were working to identify those allegedly instigating violence.
Dimpane explained that investigations required careful evidence gathering to ensure cases could stand up in court. She said those found responsible would be arrested and brought before the courts where sufficient evidence existed.
On injuries in Gauteng, Mthombeni said police could not yet confirm how many people had been hurt. He explained that officers were processing complaints at the police station and would be able to provide clearer information once statements had been taken and cases formally recorded.
Question also asked whether gunfire had triggered the violence and whether police had established who was responsible for the alleged shooting.
Mthombeni said the circumstances could not yet be confirmed without a complainant and supporting information. Investigators would need to establish whether a firearm had been pointed or discharged before confirming what had happened.
Questions were also raised about the safety of residents and the continued operation of the Home Affairs offices, particularly amid concerns that people seeking documentation could be prevented from accessing government services.
Dimpane said police would not allow government offices, including Home Affairs facilities, to be closed through unlawful intimidation or violence. She stressed that residents had the right to express their concerns peacefully, but no one was entitled to threaten others or destroy property.
Asked about police deployments and potential hotspots, Mthombeni said officers had been sent to affected locations and that precautions were being taken across Gauteng. However, police declined to disclose specific operational details about deployment numbers and locations being monitored.
Dimpane also confirmed that police were monitoring social media for possible incitement to violence and had reinforced Public Order Police deployments in areas where protests or indications of unrest had been reported.
She urged residents not to take the law into their own hands, warning that violence and intimidation would only place lives at risk and cause further hardship for communities.
“We cannot resolve our differences through violence. We must resolve them through dialogue, lawful processes and respect for the Constitution,” Dimpane said.
Police appealed to community leaders, faith based organisations, civil society and residents to help calm tensions and prevent further violence.
Dimpane said police would continue monitoring developments in Soweto and other affected areas, with those responsible for criminal acts facing investigation and possible prosecution where sufficient evidence was available.
