Tension flared in Bophelong in Gauteng on Thursday as a foreign-owned shop was allegedly set alight by a group of local business people.

The incident followed rumours that foreign shop owners are planning a return to the area.

Scores of locals gathered around the targeted shop and a group of outraged businessmen allegedly took matters into their own hands.

Dozens of burning tyres were thrown inside the shop and steel was looted by alleged drug dealers, who are said to have sold them at local scrapyards.

Only the shop’s walls were left.

In recent months, a series of meetings between locals and foreign shop owners were held in an attempt to find mutual ground.

Several looting sprees, the burning of vehicles, and the damaging of infrastructure were witnessed, leaving the community divided.

Community leader and businessman Thabiso Maphike says the businessmen were sending a message.

“Our community stands firm, united, and clear on the decision to chase foreign shop owners out of our kasi so that our people can run their economy,” he says.

“We learnt of the news that foreign shop owners are going to make their way back into our society last night [Wednesday] and we honestly thought it was just a rumour until we found some of the shops opened, being cleaned and seemingly awaiting stock,” he adds.

Maphike says they are continuing to operate businesses in their area.

While many business people in the area support the decision to keep foreign locked out, the community remains divided.