Cele: Death toll from unrest now at 12
Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that the number of people who have been killed during the unrest which hit parts of the country now stands at 12.
He added that the number might change as the police conclude its investigations.
Cele confirmed the latest death toll after engaging a summit hosted by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday.
His address follows concerns expressed by the business community on the impact the weeks of unrest could have on investment and the economy.
The xenophobic violence and looting of foreign-owned shops led to reprisal attacks in a number of other Southern African countries, including Nigeria, which in turn saw a number of South African companies such as MTN and Shoprite forced to close their stores.
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Cele was also quick to point out that the state visit by Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari was not in response to the violence meted out to Nigerian nationals living in South Africa, but was organised a long time ago.
“I was there when that decision was taken. So that he is coming here because there are problems, that is a wrong narrative. However, pushes that must stop it,” says Cele.
The police minister also refused to share long-term plans shared with the business sector to bring an end to the unrest.
Cele explained that the plans cannot be shared since it could be used by criminals to counteract the police.
Around 639 people have been arrested since the unrest began.
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