PRECIOUS Malatjie, an assistant at the Kagisano Internet Cafe in Diepsloot, northern Johannesburg, yesterday watched an unusual scene unfold at a shop next door.
Usually Ali Mahammed, who operates as a wholesaler and spaza shop owner - in a row of three shops, including Malatjie's - would be offloading his van after returning from collecting stock to supply his customers.
But yesterday he was loading stock into the van as he ferried his goods away to safety.
The unrest in the area, sparked by the fatal shooting of two Zimbabwean nationals on Sunday, allegedly by a Somali national, did not appear to bother Malatjie, as she sat outside her shop, then standing up to attend to clients as they trickled in.
Elements of xenophobia and thuggery have been said to be contributors in the area's recent violence.
"The violence has not affected my business. I have been operating normal hours since it started. I open at 7am and close at 6pm. They are targeting shops run by Somalis and Ethiopians," she said.
However, a frightened-looking Mahammed could only sell a few items as police stood by. He was, like many other foreign shop owners, preparing to leave the area after another attack on Monday night.
"I am not selling properly. I am only serving customers who want things now while the police are still here," Mahammed said.
"People looted stock last night (Monday). I am taking a chance being here because the police have no control of the situation."
Torn packages of mielie meal lay on the floor, which he said were damaged during the attack.
He said he would leave the area and assess the situation, and would return only if the situation returned to normal.
Community leader Thabo Phala said while the turmoil started as a fight, following the shooting of the Zimbabweans by a Somali national, thugs took advantage of the situation and looted shops.
"I got a call at about 10pm last night (Monday) that people had broken into two shops. I chased them away when I arrived," Phala said.
"They are thugs known to commit crimes to feed their nyaope habit."
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said 45 people were arrested on Monday.
They would face charges of public violence, possession of an unlicensed firearm and housebreaking and theft. - xabav@sowetan.co.za
When chaos rules, business leaves
PRECIOUS Malatjie, an assistant at the Kagisano Internet Cafe in Diepsloot, northern Johannesburg, yesterday watched an unusual scene unfold at a shop next door.
Usually Ali Mahammed, who operates as a wholesaler and spaza shop owner - in a row of three shops, including Malatjie's - would be offloading his van after returning from collecting stock to supply his customers.
But yesterday he was loading stock into the van as he ferried his goods away to safety.
The unrest in the area, sparked by the fatal shooting of two Zimbabwean nationals on Sunday, allegedly by a Somali national, did not appear to bother Malatjie, as she sat outside her shop, then standing up to attend to clients as they trickled in.
Elements of xenophobia and thuggery have been said to be contributors in the area's recent violence.
"The violence has not affected my business. I have been operating normal hours since it started. I open at 7am and close at 6pm. They are targeting shops run by Somalis and Ethiopians," she said.
However, a frightened-looking Mahammed could only sell a few items as police stood by. He was, like many other foreign shop owners, preparing to leave the area after another attack on Monday night.
"I am not selling properly. I am only serving customers who want things now while the police are still here," Mahammed said.
"People looted stock last night (Monday). I am taking a chance being here because the police have no control of the situation."
Torn packages of mielie meal lay on the floor, which he said were damaged during the attack.
He said he would leave the area and assess the situation, and would return only if the situation returned to normal.
Community leader Thabo Phala said while the turmoil started as a fight, following the shooting of the Zimbabweans by a Somali national, thugs took advantage of the situation and looted shops.
"I got a call at about 10pm last night (Monday) that people had broken into two shops. I chased them away when I arrived," Phala said.
"They are thugs known to commit crimes to feed their nyaope habit."
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said 45 people were arrested on Monday.
They would face charges of public violence, possession of an unlicensed firearm and housebreaking and theft. - xabav@sowetan.co.za
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