Seven men who were arrested for public violence in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, are expected to appear in court after a night of unrest, Western Cape police said on Tuesday.

The group was arrested on Monday night after a number of community members fled to the Hout Bay police station to seek assistance during protests in the area, spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said.

According to reports, Imizamo Yethu residents sought refuge at the Hout Bay police station on Monday night after gang violence in the area had escalated. There were reportedly up to 40 women and several children and men injured.

Traut would not confirm the number of people, but said they had all returned to their homes by the end of the night.

He also would not elaborate on the reason for the violent protests, but said the situation had since calmed down.

“The situation has since been restored, and there [are] no reports of violence in the area now,” Traut said.

It was not immediately clear which court the group would be appearing in. News24