Foreigners are very concerned

eMBALENHLE – Foreign small business owners said some of their shops are on the verge of being closed down because of several business robberies.

They said they have lost interest in reporting crime because the police do not show much support.

Three shops were robbed on the same night recently.

The first was robbed at 12am, the second one at 1am and the last one at 2am.

Business owners assumed that the crimes were committed by the same people.

They said what is worrying is that the police showed up shortly after the crimes were committed without them being informed.

“I didn’t call the police, but they arrived and asked me what was happening?

“They said they were doing patrols and it might have been a coincidence.

“I was once in trouble and called the police, but was told to speak Zulu, so I think the police are not helpful,” said Mr Ali Abdirahmah Mohamed.”

The business owners were assaulted and various goods were stolen, such as cigarettes, airtime and undisclosed amounts of cash.

Mr A Mohamoud, Somali Community spokesman, said the robberies at their shops are a serious concern as some shops are forced to close down.

“We urge the police to help us, because without them we will not make it.

“We also ask residents to help us and the police to fight crime.”

Capt Magonseni Nkosi, police spokesman, said the allegation that the police do not cooperate with the foreign business people are not true.

“Officials are doing patrols during the night and the fact that they were on the crime scene a few minutes after the robbery, indicate that the police are working.

“However if they have concerns, they must approach our management and launch a formal complaint.

“We often have stakeholder meetings during which all stakeholders, including foreign businesses, are given a platform to voice their concerns, but we were not informed of these problems.”

Capt Nkosi said according to their records, robbers do not only target foreign businesses, but all businesses.