Abram Mashego

The Gauteng MEC for local government and housing has set up a task team to investigate tensions between local business owners and foreign nationals.

This follows sporadic incidents of violence which saw five people being recently arrested for public violence against foreign nationals operating in Freedom Park township. At least four people have lost their lives since the tensions started in 2009.

“We met with all the stakeholders to try and findan amicable solution to the tensions,” said MEC Humphrey Mmemezi. “This was getting more and more serious as the residents closed shops belonging to foreign nationals. The 56 shops belonging to foreigners will stay closed while we continue with the investigations”.

The investigation will be concluded in the next fortnight. Mmemezi said tensions came to a head last year after the local spaza shop owners accused foreign owners of putting them out of business by selling their goods at lower prizes. These tensions calmed down, but flared again last week.

Ward councillor Ntombi Ntombela said she received a complaint from local business owners, who voiced their dissatisfaction about foreigners operating in the area. “I met with the residents, local and foreign business owners to discuss the matter.

“We agreed that only 12 shops belonging to foreigners would be allowed to trade,” she said.  Ntombela said another issue was to establsih the legality of foreign businesses operating from leased RDP houses, which had been extended without following municipal procedures and by-laws.

“Violence flared again when more foreign traders arrived to open shops, with the locals trying to close them down.” Three locals and one foreigner were shot dead during the fights, which were accompanied by looting, she said.