By Doreen Mokgolo
Police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse a crowd picketing outside Benoni Police Station on Wednesday night over the murder of a foreign national at the hands of residents.
Earlier on Wednesday, an alleged drug dealer who is believed to be a Nigerian national, was stabbed to death during an altercation with a taxi driver.
The attack occurred during a so-called “no drugs operation” carried out by local residents and taxi drivers to confront people in the area who they have identified as drug peddlers.
The 45-year-old victim, who has not been named, sustained multiple stab wounds during the attack and was later certified dead at Glenwood Hospital.
An outraged group mainly made up of foreign nationals gathered later that evening to protest outside the local police station.
The group demanded that the police launch a manhunt for the victim’s killer.
Police eventually dispersed the crowd with rubber bullets after protesters began letting off live rounds.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Noxolo Kweza, confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder.
“No one has been arrested as yet, but a docket has been opened pending investigation,” she said.
“We are calling on anyone with information that could help police on the whereabouts of the suspect.”
Resident Itumeleng Mofokeng, who witnessed the stabbing, said his sympathies lie with the residents trying to drive away drug dealers, who he says are a scourge on the area.
“Unemployed young people are either addicts or peddling drugs on behalf of the dealers,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
Last month another foreign national in the area escaped a near death attack after he was found allegedly selling drugs not far from a taxi rank.
Pictured above: Protestors gathered outside Benoni Police Station
Image source: Supplied
