Chaos reportedly broke out in Kraaifontein on Wednesday morning after hundreds of learners from two high schools staged protests demanding the removal of foreign nationals from their schools and the country.
The learners, said to be from Masibambane High School and Hector Peterson High School, allegedly att@cked a foreign national during the unrest and disrupted members of the public, including motorists and informal traders.
Videos circulating on social media showed large groups of students in uniform flooding the streets and l00ting fruit stalls along the roadside.
According to police, learners at one school allegedly threw stones at passing vehicles, while students at the other reportedly targeted vehicles belonging to school staff members. Some protesters were also said to have moved toward the Kraaifontein police station while l00ting stalls and shops along the route.
The Western Cape Police deployed Public Order Police officers to restore calm and escort learners back to their schools.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said authorities received reports of the demonstrations around 8:30 a.m. after being alerted to large groups of learners protesting over the presence of foreign nationals in schools.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed awareness of the incidents, stating that the disruption appeared to have started at Masibambane Secondary School before spreading to nearby schools. Authorities said investigations into the matter are ongoing.