The arrest of a Zimbabwean national for the murder of a young woman from Cala in the Eastern Cape sparked attacks on foreign nationals who had to be evacuated from the local township on Thursday.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Khaya Tonjeni, says the 28-year-old man will appear in court soon for killing and dismembering a 23-year-old woman.
He says the grisly discovery was made yesterday when a human leg was found.
Tonjeni says police and local residents then began the search for the missing body and the remaining body parts were found in a donga under a blanket not far from Extension Five in Cala.
"The family was informed and they identified the victim as a 23-year-old Zandile Dudumashe. It was also confirmed that the victim was intimately involved with the suspect who is a Zimbabwean national," he said.
"Members of the public became violent after the recovery of the body parts and started an assault campaign against foreigners, destroying some of their shops. Public order police were called to the scene to quell the violence and restore the peace and order. Some of the foreign nationals were taken to the police station to ensure their safety while the police leadership addressed the public to give a chance for the law to take its course," Tonjeni added.
"The suspect is due to appear in court soon," he said.
Eastern Cape Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Zamuthonga Mki has called for calm and appealed to the Cala community not to become criminals themselves by taking the law into their own hands but instead, to trust law enforcement officers to do their work.
"Everyone working and living in the Eastern Cape must be treated with the necessary dignity and respect. Any case of wrongdoing whether by a South African or foreign national must be reported to the police who have been mandated to investigate and combat crime. The SAPS will do everything within its power to ensure the safety of all citizens and foreign nationals and lawlessness will not be tolerated, " said Major-General Mki.
