The attacks began on Sunday night in Kenville when a group of over a hundred people stormed and looted several tuckshops owned by Somalians. A woman lost her life in a bid to escape her attackers.

In an attempt to retaliate, the Somalians shot at the crowd and one person was killed and two others injured. The attackers then moved on to a settlement in Burnwood.

About 100 immigrants, mostly Malawian, were displaced during xenophobic attacks on Wednesday at the Burnwood settlement in Sydenham.

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane, protesting community members removed foreigners from their homes in the early hours of yesterday morning. Fleeing residents had to be escorted to the Sydenham police station.

Zwane said no-one was injured or assaulted as police intervened and monitored the situation.

Many have been forced to sleep in a nearby mosque and others in an open space near the Sydenham Police Station.

Dominic King, a nearby resident, said the foreigners’ shacks were looted once they had fled.

The municipal head of International Governance and Relations, Eric Apelgren who was in Sydenham, says he sent a proposal to the city manager for temporary shelter for the displaced and was waiting for approval for a marquee and other items.

Mayor Zandile Gumede said the attack on foreigners was a criminal offence and would not be tolerated.

The displaced foreign nationals blame government officials for the ongoing attacks saying that politicians on the campaign trail have been promising to tighten borders after the upcoming elections to control the numbers of immigrants entering South Africa. They say that in the bid to drum up support, the message being sent out is that immigrants are not welcomed.

Gumede said the authorities were deliberating about the welfare of the displaced until the situation in the area returned to normal. The municipality has deployed members of metro police to control and monitor the situation in and around Burnwood and Kenville settlements.

ANNISA ESSACK

29032019