Residents say municipality is inciting Xenophobia
Community leaders apparently fuel fight.
LEBOHANG – Residents were awakened by a convoy of Govan Mbeki Municipality and police cars on Thursday, 31 December that was heading to one of the foreigner shops that is apparently owned by Somalians.
The shop owner said he was surprised to see the police and the municipal officials entering his shop and beginning to pack everything in the shop and load it onto the municipal vehicles.
Mr Muhamad Hassen, the shop owner who is a Somali national, said they have been experiencing some problems with the community that is influencing the Ethiopians to fight them.
Some community members who are letting property to the foreign nationals, said when they offer accommodation to Somalians, the Ethiopians told them to remove the Somalians and let the property to Ethiopians.
“If you let the Somalians rent a place for R2 000, the Ethiopians will counter offer the offer with R4 000 to ensure that the Somalians are removed,” said a resident.
Some residents label the problem as a “Christian against Muslim fight” which apparently begins in their countries and continues in South Africa.
“It is disgusting because the people who are supposed to solve the problem, are getting paid by one group and one group suffers,” said an angry resident, referring to the Ethiopians who are being blamed for bribing government officials.
The Somalian group admitted that the Ethiopians do not want them in Lebohang.
“Ethiopians inform the community that we are the bad people and have guns,” said one Somalian national.
Mr Jonar Muhammad Ali, chairman of Oromo Community who is also an Ethiopian national, said he feels bad that there are people who are influencing the two groups to fight each other.
“I am aware of the fight between Ethiopians and Somalians in Leandra and it is influenced by competition.
“When someone who have a shop, sees the other person opening another shop next to him, he gets jealous and begins fighting,” said Mr Ali who promised that both parties will try to resolve the issue before it gets out of hand.
Mr Ali believes that only the municipality will be able to control the situation by enforcing by-laws.
Some residents said the Leandra Police tried to convene a meeting with both parties, but failed to resolve the issue.
Leandra Police spokesman, W/O Khuselwa Matrose, confirmed that they did try to intervene, but now left the problem in the hands of the municipality.
“I do not know why these people are fighting one another, because none of them is registered.
“The municipality is now creating more fights because they should have closed all the shops, not only one shop,” said one angry resident.
Another resident said they often see a certain policeman transport Ethiopians with his private car to fight the Somalians.
Some leaders in the community are also allegedly involved in these fights.
DA councillor Mr Dudu Nkabinde, said he would like to see the problem resolved and the community living in peace.
“This fight should end before it puts our children and the community at large in danger.
“When these people fight, they become rough and it might even affect innocent souls,” said Mr Nkabinde.
Mr Vusi Peterson of the EFF said the municipality should not take sides.
“The municipality should deal with all parties equally,” said Mr Peterson.
The Ridge Times is awaiting comment from the office of the ANC Chief Whip and the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
For free breaking and community news, visit our websites:
Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser & Highvelder
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
BBM – 590c76a8
