A 32-man reaction team will be deployed to monitor tensions at two Chinese shopping centres near the Johannesburg city centre as early as next week.

The owners of the China Trading Centre and the Dragon City complex have been at each other's throats over tenants.

African National Congress Youth League leader, Julius Malema, is mediating the dispute and met with mall owners and police on Tuesday.

Malema urged them to obey the rule of law, saying: "The tenants must be protected from the owners of the two malls who are using tenants to fight their own selfish business interest."

"Any tenant who's being intimidated or refused to live in the mall, has got the right to inform police," the youth league leader added.

The rivalry has resulted in people being assaulted and intimidated.

Dragon City management said its competition, China Trading Centre, was forcing its tenants to relocate.

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