AN Effingham spaza shop owner estimates that more than R40 000 worth of stock went up in flames when his tuckshop was allegedly set alight and his business partner seriously assaulted on Monday, October 19, allegedly by anti-immigration protesters.

According to reports, the men arrived in a vehicle at the container tuckshop near the informal settlement along Ramchand Road. The shop owner, who was away buying more stock at the time of the incident, said he was informed that two men had arrived and demanded that the shop be closed because the owners were foreign nationals.

“They said abahamabe (they must go) and told the guy that was in the shop several times hamba (go),” said the shop owner, who wished to remain anonymous. “When they saw that he was not reacting that is when they hit him and set the shop on fire before running away.”

Also Read: Effingham shop owner brutally assaulted as business is torched

KZN VIP said the man was severely assaulted, sustaining significant head injuries.

“Up until three months ago, we have never had such a problem. We’ve been running this tuckshop for more than 11 years without problems. It all started with March and March, when they demanded that foreigners leave.

“Now we are being attacked, thankfully it was not bad and he is recovering. We don’t know what to do or where we are going to go from here. The community wants us to stay and reopen but we’ve lost a lot of money and I don’t know if it is worth it.”

Residents who were helping the owners clear out damaged stock and fridges when Northglen News arrived said they were still in shock over the incident.

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“They are lovely guys who assist the community; even when you are short on money they allow you to take items on credit. Them leaving would definitely hurt us. This is the first time that this is happening, you’ll probably find that the men who did this are not even from the area,” said Nokuthula Mpisane.

Greenwood Park SAPS spokesperson Seargent Basha Nyembe confirmed that a case of business robbery is being investigated by Greenwood Park SAPS detectives.

Meanwhile, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemned the anti-immigration violence being witnessed in Durban and other parts of the country. The Commission said it was concerned about the escalating violence and the reported killing of a foreign national who was allegedly beaten to death by protesters in the Durban CBD on October 22.

“The reported circumstances is a crime against humanity which demands urgent investigation, accountability and justice.”

The Commission called on community leaders, civil society organisations and public representatives to reject violence and promote peaceful engagement, social cohesion and respect for human rights.

“No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands or to deprive another person of life. Mob violence, assault and murder have no place in a constitutional democracy founded on human dignity, equality and freedom,” the Commission added.

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