Attacks spill over into Mpuma

[Pitbull]

Thabisile Khoza


Secunda - The xenophobic frenzy in Gauteng has spilled over into Mpumalanga.

At least one Somalian businessmen in Extension 16 of Embalenhle near Secunda lost his two grocery shops and car when a mob set them alight at about 03:00 on Wednesday.

"When we got to Extension 16 we found that two shops and a car belonging to a Somalian businessman had been burnt to ashes," said Evander police spokesperson Constable Sibusiso Mbuli.

He said that while attending the scene, police received a call about violent outbreaks in nearby Leslie and had to call for back-up to be sent there.

The Somalian businessman, Ahmed Ali, 26, and other foreigners were taken to Evander police station for their own safety.

"I don't know where to go now because I lost everything I have worked for since I came to the country four years ago," he said.

The only thing he could salvage was a fridge, which is with him at the police station.

'Violent songs'

"I'm lucky that I survived. I managed to escape when I heard them chanting violent songs at my gate.

"I ran outside and sought cover," he said.

He said he can't return to Somalia.

"I can't go back to Somalia because there is war and poverty there.

"It would be better if the South African government provided a piece of land on which foreigners could live in peace," he said.

A Zimbabwean woman, Martha Sibanda, 26, has been in South Africa since 1993 selling handmade table cloths to feed her family back in Zimbabwe.

Her three-year-old daughter has a South African father and was born here.

'My life is here'

"I don't see myself going back to Zimbabwe. My life is here in South Africa. I'd rather die of hunger here at the police station while waiting for the violence to stop," said Sibanda.

Mbuli said seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the arson and that more arrests were expected.

The arrested suspects will appear in the Evander Magistrate's Court on Thursday on charges of arson, malicious damage to property, common assault and public violence.

"Most of the people involved in this whole mess are unemployed youth," said Mbuli.

"They steal the foreigners' belongings and then sell them cheaply on the black market."

He said the victims would be kept at the police station until the situation was calm. Police would also patrol the area.

In Komatipoort, Mozambican Armando Matsinhe, 31, who is working as a bartender in Johannesburg, said he didn't want to see any South Africans in Mozambique when he returns.

"We are going to make sure that they get the same treatment.

"I've left my job and lost two friends who have been killed in South Africa because of the hatred," he said.

Komatipoort police are patrolling the Hectorspruit and Komatipoort railway stations to ensure the safety of the Mozambicans and their belongings when they disembark and catch taxis the remaining distance to the Lebombo border post.

I think the **** has hit the fan

 

[Nerfherder]

er no...

TOP STORY
Attacks subside in Gauteng
21/05/2008 14:09
The xenophobic attacks in Gauteng appeared to have subsided, a provincial spokesperson has said as KZN police were monitoring possible outbreaks here.

 

[Pitbull]

er no...

TOP STORY
Attacks subside in Gauteng
21/05/2008 14:09
The xenophobic attacks in Gauteng appeared to have subsided, a provincial spokesperson has said as KZN police were monitoring possible outbreaks here.

And now moved to Mphumalanga

It's quiet during the day, they cause shyt at night. Lets just hope it stays calm now

 

[ToxicBunny]

Its been ongoing in Durban during the day, in and around Umbilo area apparently....

This is not a good sign at all if you ask me. The more this spreads, the harder it will be to contain.

 

[Alan]

Its been ongoing in Durban during the day, in and around Umbilo area apparently....

This is not a good sign at all if you ask me. The more this spreads, the harder it will be to contain.

One minute it's happening, next it's just panic and over reaction, then it's on again, followed by it's just paranoia and so it goes on.......

 

[ToxicBunny]

Well I have just been speaking to someone who works in Umbilo and the police are out in full force down there, and the foreigners working in the area are all hiding and very very afraid at the moment apparently... So my guess is its happening, and the guavamint can say whatever they like, it won't change reality.

 

[Alan]

Well I have just been speaking to someone who works in Umbilo and the police are out in full force down there, and the foreigners working in the area are all hiding and very very afraid at the moment apparently... So my guess is its happening, and the guavamint can say whatever they like, it won't change reality.

Probably is going on.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Somewhat scary since Umbilo is just down down the road from my house... and I drive through the area to get home...

Oh well, another interesting day in Africa then it seems...

 

[reech]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7412128.stm

Violence against foreigners in South Africa has spread outside Johannesburg to the port city of Durban.

Police say a group armed with stones and bottles had threatened Nigerians and damaged their property overnight.

It prompted about 700 African migrants to seek refuge in a nearby church while in Cape Town a safety forum has been set up to try to prevent violence.

 

[Alan]

Somewhat scary since Umbilo is just down down the road from my house... and I drive through the area to get home...

Oh well, another interesting day in Africa then it seems...

Don't be surprised if they pitch up at your gate as well. Hope you got something to defend yourself with

 

[Kokop]

quote from the Doors

"This is the end"

Time to look for a new home me thinks as I am also a "foreigner"