Some foreign national shop owners in Estcourt were forced to close yesterday afternoon (May 28). An angry group of local residents, in support of the mayor, went around demanding that foreign shop owners close their shops.

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

Mayor reiterates his stance on undocumented foreign nationals

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

In a media briefing with journalists before the start of the event, he said that he still stands firm on his call for illegal foreign nationals to leave Estcourt. This after a case was filed by a group of local foreign nationals and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia. The Pietermaritzburg High Court instructed the mayor on Wednesday (May 27) to remove all social media posts about foreign nationals within 48 hours.

Foreign shop owners afraid for their lives

The affected shop owners say they feel unsafe and fearful amid the ongoing tensions, and are afraid for their lives. They have called on the municipality and police to act decisively and condemn the alleged acts of xenophobia.

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