Members of the South African police, along with units of Tactical Response Team and Bomb Disposal, entered the Alexandra Men’s Hostel around midnight Wednesday morning.
SANDF soldiers and armoured cars were stationed close to the hostel, while the police walked through and searched rooms. SAPS spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza explained that the purpose of the raid was to uncover illegal firearms.
Some residents were asked to vacate the rooms. Although visibly perplexed by the raid, there were no instances of backlash.
One officer was overheard saying, “the criminals are here”, but only two crates of beer were brought out by the end of the raid. Later reports said that one arrest was made.
#Xenophobia Raid wrapping up now. At least one man led out with hands cuffed.
— Alex Eliseev (@alexeliseev) April 22, 2015
