Durban - Tensions have been running high in Cato Crest since shop owner Sithembiso Shangase was shot dead in front of his children outside the family’s Mayville home.
Last month the Sunday Tribune related how Shangase’s spaza shop, which he let to Somalian traders, had been petrol bombed, allegedly by people from the area who disliked foreigners trading there.
Shangase, 47, who was also a bishop in the Ekuphileni Congregational Church of Zion, died on Thursday when he was shot in the stomach while wrestling with an attacker.
His wife, Nomfundo, said her husband had received a phone call from a friend at around 6pm and stepped outside to chat.
Nomfundo heard gunshots a few moments later and ran to investigate.
“My husband was wrestling with an attacker, and then he collapsed. We rushed him to King Edward Hospital, where he died,” she said.
Shangase’s son, Sibongiseni, said he believed his father had been shot because he resisted calls not to let his shop to foreigners. He alleged a hitman had been hired and his best friend had been used as bait.
“He stood up to the individuals who despised him because he had Somalians running the shop. They threatened him during meetings.
“On a number of occasions he was told that something bad would happen to him. It is clear to me that it was these same people who killed my father,” he said.
He said although his father’s shop had been repaired after it had been torched last month, he did not want to let it to foreigners any more.
“I lost my father because of a rental agreement. Our lives are also in danger. We could be attacked because we know the suspect. If he gets bail, we are in trouble, because he is bad news,” Sibongiseni said.
However, Somalian Osman Mohamud said his brother, Ali Mohamud, had a lease agreement with Shangase. He said that after the funeral he would ask the family to honour the agreement.
Mohamud and his brothers were asleep in the shop when it was petrol-bombed, but fled.
Mohamud disputed the claim Shangase’s killing had anything to do with his family not being South African.
“I have a strong feeling that his death is unrelated to this issue. I do not want more trouble after what we have already been through.
“I am happy that the community around here is supportive of us. They often come to ask if we are fine and offer words of encouragement,” Mohamud said.
Another shop owner, who cannot be named, said he watched his back wherever he went because he had been told by traders he would be killed if he did not cancel the lease he had with Somalians.
“Shangase and I have been threatened many times. I am always suspicious when receiving calls, even from friends. I do not trust anyone because they tried to lure me to a meeting at night a while ago, but I refused to go.
“They tried the same tactic they used on Shangase, using a friend as bait. But I am not a fool. I read between the lines and I knew that something did not add up,” he said.
Shangase was buried yesterday at Cato Crest.
The police have arrested a 33-year-old who will appear in court on Tuesday.
Sunday Tribune