Johannesburg - The attack on four foreigners in their shop in Nsuze, near Dundee, is unfortunate, KwaZulu-Natal's transport, community safety and liaison MEC said on Friday.
Three Ethiopians were shot and injured, and a fourth was assaulted.
“We are very disappointed and angered by these latest attacks. These, unfortunately, come at a time when we were convinced that we were making progress in amicably resolving these in the greater Inanda (area),” Willies Mchunu said in a statement.
He called on locals to work with police to end such attacks, saying the latest violence harmed efforts currently underway to resolve the matter.
KwaZulu-Natal police said that on Thursday, at 7.30pm, four armed men attacked four Ethiopians in their shop in the Bhamshela area, Nsuze.
“Three of the foreigners were shot and wounded, and the fourth was badly assaulted by the suspects,” Major Thulani Zwane said in a statement.
The attackers fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The victims were taken to hospital. A case of attempted murder and business robbery had been opened.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni appealed to people to approach police with information about the suspects.
Last week, violence - labelled by some as xenophobic - and looting of foreign-owned shops spread from Soweto to Kagiso on the West Rand, Sebokeng in the Vaal Triangle, Eden Park in Ekurhuleni, and Alexandra, Johannesburg.
It was sparked when 14-year-old Siphiwe Mahori was shot dead in Snake Park, Soweto, last Monday, allegedly by a Somalian shopowner. Mahori was allegedly part of a group trying to rob the man's shop.
Somali national Alodixashi Sheik Yusuf has appeared in court charged with Mahori's shooting. He will return to court on February 4.
At least nine people have been killed following Mahori's death. Over 180 people have been arrested in connection with public violence and possession of stolen property.
Sapa