'I always give them two litres of paraffin for burning tyres during protests,' one Somali owner says.
Premises leased out by a South African to an Ethiopian man were torched in Kwathema. The shopkeeper had to flee. Photo: Kimberly Mutandiro
Somali shop owner Boyca Ahmed says he pays for “protection” during protests by giving cash, cooldrinks and paraffin to protesters. Ahmed says he also pays a total of R4,000 a month to two men who “protect” and give him information whenever looting is planned.The community of Extension 3 is planning a protest next week. Boyca Ahmed says he already has some paraffin and drinks to give to the planners of the protest.On 8 March, Thuso Johannes Mamkwe, according to Kwathema police,was shot in the neck in a confrontation with an “Ethiopian national” and died.
“It was terrifying. Voices were shouting that they had come for the Somali man, who was running a shop on my yard. Some were chanting, demanding that l open my gate.”Mjoli said the mob broke into the shop and looted what they could. They stripped the metal shelves and doors. Then they poured paraffin and set a match to what remained.“Joseph” had nothing to do with the shooting, said Mjoli.
“Immigrant shop owners are caught up in the middle because people are trying to catch the attention of the government,” said resident Nurse Mota.
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