Sixteen people have been arrested after violence, looting and the destruction of property allegedly linked to an anti-foreigner march in Northam, Limpopo, prompting the provincial police commissioner to condemn the attacks.
The violence erupted on Friday, 31 2026 July, while police officers were conducting a community awareness campaign at RDP Block 7 in Northam.
According to Limpopo Police Spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba, a group allegedly 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.
The group allegedly 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.
Police said investigations also linked the suspects to cases of theft, common assault and common robbery allegedly committed on 30 July 2026.
A multidisciplinary operation involving the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 16 suspects, aged between 21 and 45, on charges of public violence. Officers also seized a walking stick and a refrigerator as part of the investigation.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 3 August.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said criminal acts committed under the guise of community concerns or protest would not be tolerated.
“Those responsible for violence, looting and intimidation will face the full might of the law. We urge communities to raise their concerns peacefully and allow the police to deal with criminality within the confines of the law,” Scheepers said.
Police said investigations are continuing and more arrests may follow.
