Johannesburg – The situation in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg was calm on Saturday following reports of shop lootings and public violence during the last week, police said.

“It has been quiet, there were no incidents reported,” said Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said.

On Monday police arrested 45 people for public violence, housebreaking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

The unrest started on Sunday evening after Somali businessman, Bishar Isaack, was arrested for allegedly shooting dead two men, believed to be Zimbabweans, outside his shop.

Issack appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Dlamini said Isaack, 39, appeared on charges of murder.

The case was postponed to June 4, when he was expected to bring a formal bail application.

After the shooting on Sunday, local residents gathered in front of Isaack’s shop, threw stones, and looted his business.

Police dispersed the crowd, but other shops were then looted. Several local businessmen then removed their goods and locked their shops.

Nine people were arrested for public violence and possession of suspected stolen goods. They appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and the case was withdrawn, Dlamini said.