THE KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has once again expressed serious concerns about the continued attacks on foreign national shop owners.
These include the weekend murder of a Somali businessman in eNhlugwane (Inanda C). On Saturday, 24 January, it is alleged that an unknown man burst into the shop and opened fire, killing the shop owner. The suspect fled and no goods were stolen.
Police are investigating a case of murder but no arrest has been made.
On 26 January, Mchunu condemned this and other acts of violence directed at foreign business owners.
“We are once again calling on all concerned to cease these attacks and resume talks aimed at finding solutions to their concerns. Teams from our department are already on the ground, working with the police and all concerned to initiate talks that will produce a lasting solution to these attacks,” said Mchunu.
He urged those in authority to immediately initiate a dialogue with all those concerned in this matter, including those protesting against the presence of foreign business owners and the business owners themselves.
“It is critical that these attacks are stopped, fought with, and that we immediately engage in talks to resolve whatever differences that might have emerged around the presence of these business people in the areas in question. I call on communities to work with the police to ensure these attacks come to an end while we are still exploring the negotiated settlement to this matter,” he said.
