Tuck shop petrol bombed

According to the tuck shop owner, Ramadan Abro (38), the attack took place in the evening when it was dark and people were in their houses.

“I generally feel safe here in John Dube because I have a good relationship with the community, so I was shocked that such a thing could happen,” says Abro, who is from Ethiopia.

It is alleged the perpetrators wanted to burn down the garage from where Abro trades.

Petrol bombs were thrown inside the shop and shots were fired at the garage door, damaging it.

Abro explains one of his employees suffered minor burns to both hands after trying to extinguish the fire.

Community leader Alfred Skosana (40) says the attack is unacceptable and he and other members of the community will be on the look-out to prevent similar incidents from taking place.

“I am saddened some people are still xenophobic after the many pleas from the government and other organisations to stop xenophobia in the country,” says Skosana.

This was the second tuck shop in the area to recently come under attack.

Ward Councillor Tiny Mabena says the matter is beyond her control and there is not much she can do because the community of Duduza stated they don’t want foreign-owned tuck shops in the community anymore.

Duduza Police Station spokesperson Yakub Rassol says the incident was more of a business rivalry issue than a xenophobic attack.

A case of arson has been opened.