Sharpeville businessman murdered amid tuck shop protests

Amidst the looting of foreign-owned shops in Sharpeville, Gauteng, this week, a businessman was shot and killed.

Papi Mokhema was shot dead on Wednesday while closing one of his stores in Tshepiso Phase 1 at around 21:00.

Eyewitnesses told Sedibeng Ster that three young men approached Mokhema’s vehicle, which was parked near the store, and fired shots.

He was killed and his employee was wounded and taken to hospital.

Mokhema was the owner of the many Kasie Corner businesses and wholesalers in the township.

His landlord Emily Mokone is devastated by his death. She told Sedibeng Ster that they heard what sounded like firecrackers. Later, they realised that Mokhema had been shot and killed.

“I always warned him to look out for himself; I loved him so much… Aoooooo Papi. I took him as my son, he was everything to me,” Mokone says.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says that on Tuesday, the Sharpeville reportedly raided tuck shops owned by foreign nationals. The following day, a local businessman and his friend were shot by unknown suspects. The businessman died while the friend was taken to a local hospital.

It is not known if the shooting of the businessman is related to the fight between the community and tuck shop owners.

The situation is still tense in Sharpeville, says Nevhuhulwi.

“Public Order Policing and Crime Prevention Units are on the ground monitoring the situation. During their patrols, they arrested three foreign nationals who were found in possession of unlicensed firearms,” he says.