SHARPEVILLE. – Amidst the looting in demand of foreigners leaving the township of Sharpeville, a businessman was shot and killed on Wednesday.

Papi Mokhema was shot dead while closing one of his stores in Tshepiso Phase 1 at around 21:00. Eyewitnesses told Sedibeng Ster that three young men approached Mokhema’s vehicle that was parked near the store and fired shots.

He was killed and his employee was wounded and taken to hospital.

Mokhema was the owner of the many Kasie Corner businesses and wholesalers in the township of Sharpeville. Mokhema’s landlord Emily Mokone is devastated by his death. She told Sedibeng Ster that they heard what sounded like a sound of firecrackers. Later they realised that Mokhema had been shot and killed.

“I always warned him to look out for himself, I loved him so much… Aoooooo Papi. I took him as my son, he was everything to me,” Mokone said tearfully.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said that on Tuesday, the community of Sharpeville reportedly raided foreign national tuck shops. The following day a local businessman and his friend were shot by unknown suspects. The businessman died while the friend was taken to a local hospital.

It is not known if the shooting (of the businessman) is related to the fight between local and foreign tuck shop owners

Meanwhile, Colonel Nevhuhulwi said  that the situation is still tense in Sharpeville following protests that started on Tuesday.

” The Public Order Policing together with Crime Prevention Units are on the ground monitoring the situation. During their patrols they have arrested three foreign nationals who were found in possession of unlicensed firearms.”