The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) is urging calm and the maintenance of law and order in Gauteng as violence and looting spread across areas like Sharpeville, Hammanskraal, and Bronkhorstspruit.
The chaos follows a series of tragic incidents including food poisoning and shootings that have heightened community tensions between locals and foreign nationals in the region.
Violence erupted in Sharpeville over two days, beginning on October 15 when a local businessman was allegedly shot dead by immigrants.
Eyewitness accounts reveal scenes of locals seeking retribution against illegal immigrants, which led to widespread looting of spaza shops owned by foreign nationals.
Gauteng Police Spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that five individuals have been arrested for public violence amidst the unrest, stating, “The situation is tense in Sharpeville following protests that started on Tuesday.”
The tragic death of the businessman, alongside the injury of his employee from gunfire, has further inflamed local sentiments.
Echoing these sentiments, reports have emerged of other shops being looted and a community turning violent in response to fears and tensions surrounding the presence of unlicensed firearms among foreign shop owners. This has led to the arrest of three foreign nationals for illegal possession of firearms.
In Hammanskraal, an unrelated incident involving 47 school pupils who fell ill after consuming chocolate highlights the ongoing turmoil.
This outbreak of food poisoning added fuel to the unrest as worries grew about food safety in local shops. Parents rallied in frustration as children were rushed to hospitals and later discharged.
Bronkhorstspruit also saw similar chaos, with locals reacting strongly to illnesses linked to foreign-owned shops.
Following reports of six children experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, crowds descended on shops, ransacking them and destroying potentially harmful snacks and other products.
Bongani Mazwi Mkwananzi, the executive secretary of the ADF, addressed the situation, recognising the growing tensions between South African communities and businesses run by immigrants.
"While we acknowledge these frictions may arise, especially regarding business conduct and safety standards, it’s paramount that we do not let this spiral into racketeering and the wrongful targeting of migrants,” he stated. Mkwananzi stressed the need for justice, saying, “We call for law and order to prevail; all migrants must adhere to the rules and laws of South Africa.”
The unrest did not stop at the looting incidents. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Unit in the Vaal reported a significant development on Thursday when their patrols, aided by community intelligence, led to the arrest of an individual possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Further scrutiny in Sharpeville yielded the apprehension of another suspect in possession of an unlicensed weapon.
Saturday Star
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za