South Africa November 2006 |
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| Zamdela immigrants under attack, (Vaal Weekly, 2006-11-09):-A notorious gang has vandalised more than 20 tuck-shops and fruit stalls allegedly belonging to immigrants, believed to be from Mozambique, on two consecutive nights. The police could not arrest any suspects, who mostly come from Refengkgotso and Zamdela areas, as none of the victims wanted to open a case of malicious damage to property, theft and assault when their businesses were wrecked on November 2 and 3. The police estimate that more than 100 immigrants who fled to the tiny township of Refengkgotso seeking better shelter and to make ends meet, have been brutally forced out of their businesses. During the raid, more than 10 immigrants were injured when the suspects allegedly pelted them with stones. The police said: 'The reason for the immigrants' reluctance to open a case could be that they obtained their documents unlawfully. Some are not in the country legally.' According to the victims, the violence was initiated by a local tavern owner. He said they saw a bakkie belonging to one of the tavern owners, whose name is known to Weekly, driving the youth around the township. The owner allegedly instructed the thugs to loot every business belonging to the immigrants because they took the tavern owner's clients. During the night, the police were seen patrolling the township and accompanying some of the immigrants to the police station. They spent the whole night waiting outside the charge office, looking after their property. Their injured friends were transported to the local hospital by ambulance. The immigrants, who started trading in Sasolburg and Sebokeng before they escaped to Deneysville, said they have received enough bad treatment from local business owners. According to the Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Kgosana, the police received a tip-off that the spaza shops were being robbed. When the police arrived, all the suspects had already left. The police confirmed that there were attacks at many businesses, from hair salons to tuck-shops. Several people were injured. 'If the owners of the stalls (businesses) don't want to open a case, the police cannot investigate,' said Kgosana. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |