GEORGE NEWS - George remained largely calm on Tuesday 30 June, with only isolated flare-ups reported and no major incidents of rioting, looting or violence despite heightened tensions surrounding nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, police remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond to any developments relating to illegal immigration-related tensions.
Late on Tuesday afternoon, a large group of people was seen moving through parts of Thembalethu under a heavy police presence. The group crossed the Fourways intersection before continuing through various areas while police monitored the situation.
Earlier in the day, George Herald received reports of what residents believed were gunshots in New Dawn Park, behind Pacaltsdorp, near the ravine separating Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu.
Pojie confirmed that the sounds were stun grenades deployed by the Public Order Police to disperse a large crowd that was allegedly pursuing a man believed to be an undocumented foreign national.
According to a source, the man fled from Thembalethu through the ravine towards Pacaltsdorp before police intervened and escorted him to safety.
Police also responded to an attempted looting incident at a spaza shop in Reiger Park, Pacaltsdorp, where a group of youngsters allegedly attempted to target the business. Officers intervened before the situation could escalate.
Pojie confirmed that no arrests had been made in the George area in connection with looting or assaults on foreign nationals.
Earlier, community organisation Thembalethu Qina-Mhlali announced that its planned Mabahambe march, scheduled for 30 June, had been postponed.
In a statement, the organisation said the decision was taken not out of fear of the security cluster, but to protect Thembalethu and George while upholding the law.
"We stand against illegal immigration, the employment of undocumented foreign nationals, drug dealing and human trafficking. We stand for a lawful and safe George."
The organisation said it is calling for the lawful enforcement of South Africa's Immigration Act, municipal by-laws and health regulations, adding that it is "not against any nationality, but pro-compliance".
It further called on the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service and the Garden Route District Municipality to conduct joint inspections to ensure businesses comply with immigration, labour, municipal and tax legislation.
The postponement of the march, together with a visible police presence throughout George, contributed to a relatively calm day as law enforcement continued to monitor the situation.
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