---
title: "GroundUp: In photos – Xenophobic Violence in Pretoria"
description: "Against the backdrop of an anti-immigrant march in Pretoria, Ihsaan Haffejee photographed a clash between protesters and Somali immigrants in the west of the city on Friday. By GROUNDUP"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "South Africa"
author: "GroundUp"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/groundup/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-02-24-groundup-in-photos-xenophobic-violence-in-pretoria/"
published: "2017-02-24T20:16:44"
updated: "2017-02-24T20:53:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 259
---

# GroundUp: In photos – Xenophobic Violence in Pretoria

> Against the backdrop of an anti-immigrant march in Pretoria, Ihsaan Haffejee photographed a clash between protesters and Somali immigrants in the west of the city on Friday. By GROUNDUP

By GroundUp · Published 24 February 2017, 22:16 SAST · Updated 24 February 2017, 22:53 SAST

## Content

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-2_extra_large.jpg)

*Photo: A group of anti-immigrant protesters trying to displace immigrants were confronted by police as they attempted to enter a predominantly Somali neighbourhood in Pretoria West. Police separated the groups and released stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-8_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: This is the anti-immigrant group. They were apparently on their way to a widely advertised anti-immigrant march in Pretoria.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-4_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: The residents were however well organised …*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-5_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: … and determined to stand their ground.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-6_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo:A large police contingent was present.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-7_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Here the police demanded that the immigrant group sit down and disarm.*

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-9_extra_large.jpg)

*Photo: Police released stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-10_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: A member of the anti-immigrant group lies injured.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-11_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: A man from the immigrant neighbourhood tries to calm the situation as police fired teargas.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-13_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Police searched a resident of the Somali neighbourhood.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-14_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Immigrants locked themselves in a home as the violence spread*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-15_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: This man was attacked for unclear reasons. He was saved by a leader in the Somali community who intervened.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-17_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Some residents attended prayer as the violence escalated outside.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-18_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: After the anti-immigrant march, police isolated a group of protesters that was trying to enter Sunnyside. The group claimed that Nigerians dominate that area of Pretoria.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-19_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Police arrested the entire group.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x501q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-20_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: Police found drugs on one of the group members.*

*![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x499q70XENOPHOBIA-VIOLENCE-IH-21_extra_large.jpg)*

*Photo: The hand of a man arrested by police.*

*Main photo: Residents of a Somali neighbourhood in Pretoria West armed themselves with stones and bricks as a group protesting their presence approached them.*