Cape Town - The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has launched a probe into the conduct of one of its members after foreign shopkeepers in Khayelitsha were asked to pay R150, ostensibly to help protect them from xenophobic attacks.
The organisation has also distanced itself from the letter, Sanco provincial spokesperson Qhama Bongikhaya said on Sunday.
“We have sanctioned our Peninsula region to investigate the matter and report to us when we meet in two weeks’ time. We will deal with the member in question when the investigation is concluded,” he said. “We distance ourselves from the actions of that individual.”
Since May 1, a letter on a Sanco letterhead has been distributed to foreign shop owners in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, asking a fee of R150.
The letter is signed by Mthetho Filita, who states in the letter that he is a branch chairperson of Sanco. The letter also bears the Sanco Mayibuye branch stamp.
Abdi Risaqali Gaajo, a Somali national who worked in the Bafana Bafana spaza shop in Khayelitsha, said he was given a letter on May 1 and told the money would be collected at a later stage.
He said a man entered his shop and told him locals were planning an attack on Somali-owned businesses, but that Sanco would protect his shop if he paid R150.
“He was wearing dodgy clothing, driving what seems an unroadworthy car and had no name tag, so I did not believe him. I told him I would speak to the owner and he must come back at a later stage. He never came back. The following day I saw on the news that this was a scam,” said Gaajo.
Lumkile Sizila, a community leader in Makhaza, said Sanco’s Mayibuye branch would meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter and decide how to deal with Filita, a branch member.
Asked to explain the letter, Filita said: “The matter is being investigated by Sanco in the region. There is nothing I can say.”
Nontsikelelo Lungisa’s name appears on the letter as a second contact person. Lungisa said she was a member of Sanco until 2013, when she relocated to the Eastern Cape.
“The person must have used an old letterhead that still had my details, otherwise I know nothing about it,” said Lungisa.
Cape Times