This post is part of the series Xenophobia in South Africa

Other posts in this series:

  1. The Long and Sour Side of Nigeria-South Africa Relations
  2. Studies Prove Immigrants are more Important to South Africa’s Economy than we Know
  3. African Immigrants Deserve Far Better from South Africa, Not Xenophobia

A mob in South Africa looted several foreign-owned shops in a White City township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, following the killing of two persons, South African police confirmed.

Angry mob went on a rampage, looting foreigners’ shops after two local residents were reportedly shot dead by a foreign shopkeeper during an argument.

The victims had allegedly accused the trader of selling them expired goods.

The mob was seen entering stores and stealing items ranging from food to refrigerators.

An immigrant from Somalia, Abdi Mohamed, described the mob action as “pure xenophobia”, saying: “How can only foreign-owned stores be looted?”

Mohamed said the attacks were similar to anti-immigrant violence that erupted in both 2008 and 2015, displacing hundreds of thousands of foreigners.

The police spokesman, Col. Lungelo Dlamini, said: “We have arrested 15 people for crimes ranging from public violence, murder and attempted murder. We have deployed all over the township to avoid the return of violence.”

The main opposition Democratic Alliance condemned the violence, saying “any form of xenophobia is unacceptable and has no place in our diverse society.”

 

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