Pimville residents have shared mixed reactions following the closure of immigrant-run spaza shops and the absence of street vendors.

While some believe undocumented foreign nationals should leave the country, others say they should be allowed to return once they have obtained the necessary documentation through the proper legal channels. Others expressed concern about the loss of affordable groceries, convenient shopping, and access to informal credit that many of the shops provided.

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Naledi Motaung

“I don’t think this is fair to the immigrants or to us as Pimville residents. I believe no South African-owned shop will sell a cabbage for only R3. If we keep chasing them away, where are we going to buy bread early in the morning? They also understand when you’re short by R1 and still allow you to buy what you need.”

Nonhlanhla Tshikoni

“I don’t feel okay because this situation is affecting us. We now have to walk long distances just to buy bread because the local spaza shops are closed.”

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Takalani Mulovhedzi

“Some immigrants are helpful, while some are not. Their numbers have increased, and it’s becoming a concern. We need those who contribute positively, but those who are here illegally should go back, sort out their documents, and return through the proper channels.”

Violet Matsepe

“I’m happy that these people will go home and come back with the right documents so we can identify them if they commit a crime. I don’t have a problem buying where I used to shop in Kliptown before they were here, and everything will get back to normal. What hurts me most is that South African citizens respect the law, but some foreigners break it, and we don’t even hate them.”

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Rorisang Molai

“I don’t think they should leave. As you can see, many of their shops are closed, and we can’t buy from them anymore because we’ve become used to having them in our communities. Even our grandparents could buy groceries on credit when they didn’t have money and pay it back later. That’s something many people appreciated.”