By Doreen Mokgolo
The fight between a group of locals and foreign tuckshop owners in Kwa-Thema and Tsakani, in Ekurhuleni, is far from over.
More than 100 residents marched on the Kwa-Thema Police Station on Tuesday, and dared the police to arrest all of them.
The group was showing support for five leaders of the anti-immigrant group, Operation Dudula, who have received police summonses to report to the station. They have been ordered to give statements in connection with cases opened by foreign tuckshop owners accusing them of business robbery and vandalism.
The cases refer to actions two months ago when residents closed down all foreign-owned shops after expired food items were found still on display. Residents reported that a group of learners had fallen sick after consuming out-of-date snacks from the stores.
Addressing the residents on Tuesday, Kwa-Thema police station commander, Colonel Nhlanhla Kunene, said since emotions are high, police would not be taking statements from the suspects on the day they were summoned.
“Police will reach out to the community with an update on the cases. We are pleading to the community not to take the law into their own hands and to allow the police to do their work,” he said.
Pictured above: Residents march on Kwa-Thema Police Station.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
