Somali shops vandalised after fatal shooting

Cape Town – Angry residents of Asanda Village in Strand have vandalised and looted at least eight spaza shops owned by Somalis after a resident was shot dead, allegedly during a dispute with a shopkeeper.

A witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said Siyabonga Jozana, 26, was killed during an argument after he claimed he was short-changed when buying groceries. Five shots were fired, the witness said.

Siyabonga’s aunt, Ntombovuyo Jozana, said she did not feel safe in the area.

“As a family we want the Somali leader to come and talk to us and to come up with the way forward in this incident. We want him to take responsibility.”

Jozana was described as a good guy who respected everyone.

Former councillor Mbuyiseli Matha said: “What happened was not meant to happen. It was totally unacceptable. I encourage the community not to take the law into their hands, even though we understand they are angry.

“We plan to have meetings with the community and educate them not to take the law into their own hands. We are supporting the Jozana family and trying to come up with a solution.”

Organiser of the Asanda Phakathi Sanco branch, Xolani Saziwa, said the organisation visited the Jozana family to console them and make peace.

Somali shop owner Nuur Mahamad said: “Residents came to my shop and threw stones at my windows. They got in, took my stock, now my fridges are broken.

Shop owner Ebrahim Muhamad said residents took his stock and burnt down his store. Now he had to start from scratch.

Western Cape police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed a case of murder was under investigation and that no one had been arrested.

iol.co.za