Wednesday, June 5, 2013
by Rahima Essop
A Somali shop owner says he lives in fear after shops in the area was looted and burnt.
Picture: Rahima Essop/EWN
PORT ELIZABETH - A relative of a Somali shop owner who was murdered during a wave of protests in Port Elizabeth's (PE) northern region spoke of his grief and fear in the wake of the attack.
The man was beaten and stabbed while residents from several townships blockaded roads and looted foreign-owned shops last week.
Abdul Moalim Abdi who manages a supermarket in Booysen Park spoke of the death of his relative.
“I can’t say they stabbed him, they chopped him up because if you see his body you wouldn’t recognise him. He was also pelted with stones.”
Abdi added that the attack proved there was no humanity.
The Somali said he keeps a panga in his shop for protection as he fears a resurgence of violence in the area.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is expected to visit PE within the next few days.
The Democratic Alliance's Bobby Stevenson praised PE police for bringing the situation under control.
Stevenson said the lack of service delivery in the ANC-led metropolitan area as well as the high crime rates were ticking time bombs which needed to be diffused.
He warned if these issues were not taken seriously, violent protests could flare up again.
But the ANC's Zandisile Qupe maintains the ruling party is delivering.
Qupe said Mthethwa would personally address residents soon.