Some foreign national shop owners in Estcourt were forced to close yesterday afternoon (May 28).

According to Estcourt News, an angry group of local residents, reportedly in support of the mayor, went around demanding that foreign shop owners close their businesses.

In videos circulating on social media, individuals can be seen instructing shop owners to shut down their stores and return to their countries.

Court ruling ignored

This followed the mayoral launch of the Social Employment Fund Initiative, where Inkosi Langalibalele Mayor Mduduzi Myeza remained unrepentant after a High Court ruling against him and the municipality.

During a media briefing with journalists before the start of the event, he said he still stood firm on his call for illegal foreign nationals to leave Estcourt.

This comes after a case was filed by a group of local foreign nationals and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court instructed him on Wednesday (May 27) to remove all comments about foreign nationals within 48 hours.

Shop owners fear for safety

Affected shop owners said they felt unsafe and fearful amid the ongoing tensions and feared for their lives.

They have called on the municipality and police to act decisively and condemn the alleged acts of xenophobia.

Watch the video:

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.