By Doreen Mokgolo
With various townships in Gauteng demanding that foreign-owned shops be shut down, some of the owners have found refuge in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni.
Two groups of Somali and Pakistani nationals have opened shops in the area, angering the locals.
In the early hours of Monday morning, residents took to the streets with burning tyres and rocks, demanding that the shop owners vacate the area.
The protest took an ugly turn when a fight broke out between the shop owners and the residents, who started throwing stones at each other. Police had to use rubber bullets and tear gas to defuse the situation.
A resident, Zandisile Thukwane, said as a community they are taking a stand and refusing to open doors for the shop owners. The community will not accept them.
“When there was a shutdown in Kwa-Thema, Tsakani we saw trucks and bakkies full of groceries moving in the area.They were chased out of the other townships because of their unfair business practices, selling some expired food. We don’t want to inherit those challenges.
“We don’t want them, we want them gone today, and if they refuse to leave today we will be forced to take the law into our own hands,” she said.
Another resident, Mapule Tshoene, said they have not felt safe in the area since the two groups of foreign nationals moved into the area.
“The Somalians and Pakistanis are now fighting for territory by fighting each other for the limited space, putting our lives at risk,” she said.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, a Somali national, Axada Jama, said they feel the residents are targeting them because they are an easy target.
“South Africans are frustrated with their government not delivering on their promises but instead of raising their grievances with them, they are targeting us.
“We are law-abiding and have permits and passports to be in the country and operate our businesses. We agree some are breaking the law; they must be arrested and be deported,” he said.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said there were no damages or injuries reported and also no one has been arrested.
“The Saps and EMPD (Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Police Department) Public Order Policing Units are on the ground monitoring the situation,” she said.
Pictured above: Dunnottar residents.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
