Theft sparked deadly violence in Plastic View
A Zimbabwean national stole seven dumplings packed in a tupperware holder from a coffee shop and disappeared.
The theft of wares from a trader in Plastic View in the east of Pretoria apparently triggered the past weekend’s violence that claimed two lives in the informal settlement.
The trader, 42-year-old Pinki Mohanyane, said a Zimbabwean national recently stole seven dumplings (a type of vetkoek) packed in a tupperware holder from her coffee shop and disappeared.
The mother of four children, who is Lesotho national, told neighbours about the crime and they began investigating.
“We asked around and were shown the thief’s shack. As we approached his dwelling, a group of Zimbabweans blocked our way and we turned back,” she told Rekord.
“I reported the matter to the police, who came out and arrested the man.”
She said the culprit was released a few days later.
Last Friday, a group of Basotho men sought to confront the man, but he ran away. Tension simmered through the weekend and erupted in violence on Sunday, said Mohanyane.
“The Basotho men were playing soccer on Sunday when a group of Zimbabwean nationals loyal to the thief attacked them with sticks. The Basotho men scattered to their shacks, where they collected pangas, sticks and other sharp objects to retaliate.”
Two men were killed when the two angry groups went at each other in hand-to-hand combat. A number of other people ended up in hospital with minor to severe injuries.
Garsfontein police were alerted and restored order in the shanty town.
A Zimbabwean man, who asked not to be named, gave a different version of events.
He said the Basotho group actually attacked the culprit on Friday.
“He suffered a cut to his arm and was taken to hospital.”
Sunday’s attack on the Basotho men was out of revenge, the Zimbabwean said.
After the fighting, Zimbambwean nationals went to Mohonyane’s coffee shop and destroyed her stock and equipment.
She said: “As I was hiding inside, they poured petrol on my shop to set it alight. Somehow they changed their mind and left.”
Mohonyane said she was now living in fear and was scared to resume her business.
Another fight broke out between Basotho and Zimbabwean nationals on Monday night, but no injuries were reported.
The night also saw Zimbabwean national Sibusisiwe Ngwenya’s shack being set alight, apparently by Basotho nationals.
Ngwenya said only a part of her dwelling was damaged as the attackers doused the flames upon realising that there were only a woman and a child inside.
“The Basotho group said they were only looking for men and not women and children.”
Ngwenya said she was still to lay a charge with the Garsfontein police.
Monday’s violence caused a large number of Plastic View residents, mostly women and children, to leave the area with large bags and other belongings on Tuesday, fearing for their lives.
Resident George Makubela, a Zimbabwean, said his wife and children, were moving to Mabopane.
“It has become too dangerous for them to live here, especially at night.”
Some other residents said they were going to stay in Mamelodi until peace was restored in Plastic View.
South African-born resident Donald Banda said the ongoing dispute was making life unbearable.
“Some members of the rival groups are now armed with bows and arrows. This is really scary.”
Garsfontein police spokesperson Warrant-Officer Dave Miller said the two killed in Sunday’s violence were both stabbed to death.
Police were still investigating the cause of the violence, he said.
“No one has been arrested, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation.”
Also read:
Man killed in Garsfontein riot
Situation calm after two were murdered in the east
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