Somali shop owners fight back
Govan Mbeki Municipality says shops were built illegally on residential stands without approved plans.
eMBALENHLE – Somali shop owners have filed a case of malicious damage to property against the Govan Mbeki Municipality for demolishing their shops on 23 July.
Five shops belonging to Somalis and Ethiopians were bulldozed in Extension 15 and 16 last week by the council because they were built illegally on residential stands without approved plans.
A case was filed by Messrs Mohamud Mohamed Walsame, Mowlid Haji Hassan and Adar Mohamed Hassan at the Secunda Police Station.
The case was, however, transferred to the eMbalenhle Police Station.
Mr Hassan, whose shop was the first to be bulldozed in Extension 15, could not understand why the municipality targeted five shops when hundreds of shops in residential stands existed in almost all the streets of the township.
He alleged some municipal officials and members of the local Community Policing Forum and Sector Crime were influenced by an Ethiopian businessman to carry out the operation.
Mr Hassan said the issue of demolishing of shops came after he began building his shop in an extension apparently dominated by shops owned by the businessman.
He said a meeting was called thereafter by senior police officers and municipal officials at the police station hall on 16 June.
Mr Hassan said they walked out of the meeting because they were discriminated and told to “pack their belongings” and return to Somalia.
He said the municipality did not issue notices to them that their shops will be demolished.
Mr Hassan said they are seeking legal advice with the intention of suing the municipality.
Capt Magonseni Nkosi, spokesman for the eMbalenhle Police, confirmed that they are investigating a case of malicious damage to property against the municipality.
Mr Henry Masango, head of Marketing and Communication of the municipality said: “The matter will thus be sub judice pending an investigation by the police since it is alleged that a criminal case has been opened against the municipality and subsequent decision by the National Prosecution Authority.”
The municipality has served other owners who built their shops illegally on residential stands last week with a 14 days notice to correct the situation so as to avoid their shops being demolished.
