Close to 20 Ethiopians were estcorted out of Ezakheni by heavily-armed police as a large crowd of about 200 people attempted to prevent them from leaving.
This after an Ethiopian store in Ezakheni C1-Section was broken into and looted on Tuesday night.
Police were requested by the owner of the store to assist him in removing what remained of his belongings and stock from the shop. He was assisted by family and friends to move items from the store.
This brings to 4 the number of attacks on foreign-run businesses in the Ladysmith area in less than a month.
Regional police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said that police were aware of a burglary that occurred at a foreign-owned shop. “The shop owner, who is an immigrant, did not desire a case docket to be opened. On May 20, the owner decided to close shop and leave the area.” He added that a group of close to 200 people gathered at the shop to oppose him leaving.
Speaking to 27-year-old Ladysmith Ethiopian businessman Girma Atano, he is totally against xenophobia and wants all communities to live in peace. He expressed concern at the attack, but is unaware of who the businessman is who was driven out of Ezakheni by the mob.
According to the Ethiopian Embassy in Pretoria, they say they are aware of the incident. At the moment, there is a delegation in Ezakheni, headed by the Ethiopian ambassador to South Africa. They are busy working with the community and also police to combat the attacks.
