Police arrest 16 after anti-foreigner march linked to looting and violence

Limpopo – Sixteen people have been arrested following violence, looting and destruction of property linked to an alleged anti-foreigner march in Northam, Limpopo, police said.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the unrest erupted on Friday, 31 July 2026, in the Waterberg District while officers were conducting a community awareness campaign at RDP Block 7.

According to police, a group allegedly associated with the march attacked people attending the campaign, assaulted three community members and damaged two vehicles belonging to the Northam Station Commander and a foreign national shop owner.

“It is alleged that a group linked to the march attacked people attending the campaign, assaulted three community members and damaged two vehicles belonging to the Northam Station Commander and a foreign national shop owner,” SAPS said in a statement.

Police said the group then targeted a foreign-owned spaza shop, where groceries and other items, including a refrigerator, were looted before the shop owner’s vehicle was set alight.

“The suspects allegedly proceeded to a foreign-owned spaza shop, where they looted groceries and other items, including a refrigerator, before setting the owner’s vehicle alight,” the statement said.

Investigators have also linked the group to cases of theft, common assault and common robbery allegedly committed a day earlier, on 30 July.

A multidisciplinary operation involving SAPS and other law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 16 suspects, aged between 21 and 45, on charges of public violence.

Police said a walking stick and a refrigerator believed to be linked to the offences were seized during the operation.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers condemned the violence, warning that criminality disguised as protest would not be tolerated.

“Criminal acts committed under the guise of community concerns or protest will not be tolerated. Those responsible for violence, looting and intimidation will face the full might of the law,” Scheepers said.

He urged residents to raise grievances through lawful channels.

“We urge communities to raise their concerns peacefully and allow the police to deal with criminality within the confines of the law,” he said.

Police said investigations are continuing and that further arrests may be made as detectives work to identify other suspects allegedly involved in the attacks.