FOREIGN shop owners in Diepsloot, northern Johannesburg, spent the better part of yesterday's afternoon packing away stock from their shops following the violence that broke out after the fatal shooting of two Zimbabwean nationals on Sunday evening.

The violence erupted after a Somali businessman allegedly shot two men in an argument. Subsequently, residents ran amok, looting shops belonging to Somali and Ethiopian nationals in the area.

Ethiopian Tasfaye Gabire, a leader of Ethiopian nationals in the area, said from the Diepsloot police station where they have taken refuge: "It is a Somali that started the trouble, I don't know why we are also being attacked. I don't know whether Somalis and Ethiopians look the same to them. We need to address this issue.

"Our shops have been looted ... and we do not even know where we are going to sleep tonight."

Zimbabwean national Thabani Ndlovu, the manager of rumba musical outfit Mlambos Express Band, gave an account of how he survived the shooting that claimed the life of one of his band members.

Speaking from the police station where he was giving a statement, Ndlovu said the members of his band had to dive for cover as the Somalian suspect went on a rampage.

He said band member Thuthani "Superman" Ndlovu was not so lucky as he died from a bullet that had pierced his chest.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Lungelo Dlamini said a Somali national was arrested for allegedly shooting the two Zimbabweans.

He said nine other people were arrested for public violence and possession of suspected stolen goods after they allegedly looted the shops.

The Somali national are due to face two charges of murder and attempted murder. All the suspects were expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court today, Dlamini said. - xabav@sowetan.co.za