Foreign-owned shops in Durban’s central business district cautiously reopened on Tuesday morning, a day after xenophobia reared its ugly head.
Durban foreign-owned shops torched
As reported by eNCA, two shops were allegedly looted and set alight by an unidentified group. The ordeal was captured on camera by bystanders who watched on in shock as flames spurted out of the window panes.
From what we understand, none of the store employees or the business owners was harmed in the incident.
BREAKING NEWS (with video): Several foreign owned shops are currently being burnt in the Durban CBD. One of the shops being burnt is on Joe Slovo (Field) street, it sells clothing stuff & it is owned by Ethiopians. For now it is not clear who is behind the callous acts of arson. pic.twitter.com/D6orKqiUaM
— Sihle Mavuso (@NewsBotZA) January 25, 2021
Durban CBD foreign owned shops being looted by Pharas also being set alight pic.twitter.com/rW7pOCtLfk
— Sokisi SA (@SokisiOfficial) January 25, 2021
Two foreign owned shops have been torched in the Durban CBD in what appears to be xenophobic violence. At one shop, they tell us 13 men stormed the store and threatened them, before setting the store alight. Police are currently on scene. @etvNewsSA pic.twitter.com/Wv7Na6ITQJ
— Nabeelah Shaikh (@Nabeelah_Shaikh) January 25, 2021
Who was behind the xenophobic attacks?
Durban Metro police spokesperson Parboo Sewperad confirmed that thus far, only one suspect has been arrested for the violence.
“There were groups of people in the CBD that were visiting shops, and they were visiting shops with flammable liquids, and torching some of the shops,” Sewperad revealed.
While investigations continue, it was quite the coincidence that the attacks on foreign-owned businesses erupted on the same day uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) met at the Durban City Hall to hand over a memorandum for Premier Sihle Zikalala’s attention.
“We want the government to ban the employment of foreign nationals and give them grants, giving them RDP houses, you understand,” musician and MKMVA representative Dumisani Thango said.
Police have maintained a notable presence in the CBD, watching out for suspicious behaviour in areas where foreign-owned businesses operate.
