EMPD called to address threats against spaza shop owners
Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku, visited spaza shop trader Thulani Khumalo after threats of violence to his life by unknown people.
MMC for Community Safety in Ekurhuleni, Sizakele Masuku, has called on the EMPD to decisively deal with threats of violence directed at spaza shop owners in the townships.
Masuku issued the directive to the EMPD after visiting Thulani Khumalo, a spaza shop owner, on May 7.
Khumalo allegedly received life-threatening messages from other traders who are suspected to be foreign nationals. He claims he has been receiving threats from unknown people telling him to close down his shops ‘or else his life would be in danger’.
The previous week, one of Khumalo’s friends was allegedly shot by unknown people as he was leaving his shop.
He says he and his family are now living in fear.
“This is unacceptable,” Masuku said, adding that South Africa promotes free trade and everyone entering this space must be allowed to do business and have a shot at the market.
“We cannot sit back and allow these threats as a municipality. The EMPD must act swiftly and ensure that those behind this are locked up,” said Masuku.
