Parts of Soweto were on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday plunged into a wave of Operation Dudula-sponsored closures of spaza shops operated by foreign nationals following the shooting of a 21-year-old Soweto resident.
The resident was allegedly shot and wounded by a Pakistani shop owner in White City Jabavu.
It was reported that a group of about 50 people, comprising members of Operation Dudula and the Patriotic Alliance, raided migrant-owned shops in Soweto after the shooting of the man.
According to Operation Dudula, the resident was identified as Lusanda Ngxongo, who is reported to be recovering at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Following the incident, Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula responded through a mass campaign that saw foreign-operated spaza shops being closed down.
Ngxongo was shot on Saturday and, according to crime activist Yusuf Abramjee, tensions have since the beginning of the week been running high in parts of Soweto.
He said some White City locals had targeted foreign nationals - removing them from their shops.
“The community has called for foreign nationals to immediately leave their township - after a shop owner shot and wounded a local resident,” said Abramjee.
Refilwe Mathe of Operation Dudula said: “As Operation Dudula, we are appalled and demand the immediate arrest of the Pakistani criminal that pulled the trigger.
“We also demand that Mr Ngxongo’s case be given the highest attention and be treated with respect. Until our demands are met, we shall continue to shut down all Pakistani-run businesses starting in White City, Jabavu, in Soweto.”
Mathe said according to Ngxongo’s mother, Anna Mnisi, 42, he was shot by the owner after he spilt a cold drink in his shop.
Media reports have suggested that more than 30 spaza shops have been shut down by the operation, with the movement saying it would continue with these operations until their demands had been met.
Speaking to The Star yesterday, Soweto police spokesperson Colonel Kweza confirmed Moroka police had arrested a suspect following a shooting incident which took place in White City at the weekend.
She added that the injured person was taken to hospital where he was in stable condition.
“Police have since opened an attempted murder docket. As a result of the shooting incident, Moroka police together with JMPD members have been monitoring the situation at White City following allegations of shops being closed. At this stage, no shops were closed and no injuries were reported.
“The possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out. Police had a discussion with community leaders and continue to monitor the situation. There were no incidents of looting thus far,“ Kweza said.
The Star