Durban - Despite government campaigns to quell xenophobic attacks and King Goodwill Zwelithini’s imbizo in which he called for peace and protection of foreign nationals, a shop belonging to a foreigner has been burnt in Verulam, north of Durban.
An Ethiopian man, Hibtmu Eyobe, narrowly escaped death when his brother’s shop in Parkgate was set alight while he was sleeping inside.
The incident, on Wednesday, occurred soon after police and the eThekwini Municipality had sent media statements disputing reports of new attacks in Isipingo.
“It was around 3.30am when I was awoken by the sound of something bursting. I saw a huge fire in the shop. When I went outside, my neighbours were calling out to me. They knew I was inside the shop,” said Eyobe.
Assets worth more than R50 000, including stock which was bought on Tuesday in the belief that there would be no more attacks, as well as fridges, were destroyed, he said.
“The attack has shaken me but business will carry on,” Eyobe said.
Some locals expressed their unhappiness over the incident.
“What happened to him is not right, even though he can be rude at times, but burning his brother’s shop is uncalled for,” said a local who did not wish to be named.
Most foreign nationals who owned shops around the area were Ethiopian and his brother’s was the only one attacked because he was rude, one local said.
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said the tuckshop was set alight by unknown men, and was not linked to xenophobic violence.
“The motive for the incident is unknown. No injuries were sustained. No arrest has been made at this stage. Verulam police are investigation a case of arson,” he said.
l KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi will visit a sports ground occupied by foreigners afraid of xenophobic attacks in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
This is after a rumour circulated on Thursday that they were going to be attacked.
Daily News