Ekurhuleni – Tensions are escalating in Tsakane, Brakpan, after armed private security guards allegedly hired to protect foreign-owned spaza shops shot and injured a 15-year-old boy, while reports have also emerged that a local school teacher was killed during the unrest.
The violence has sparked retaliatory attacks, with several spaza shops, reportedly owned by Ethiopian and Pakistani nationals, set alight by angry residents.
According to SABC News, schoolchildren in Tsakane staged protests against foreign-owned shops after the shooting of the teenager during demonstrations on Sunday evening. The public broadcaster reported that the teenager remains in a critical condition in hospital, while residents allege he was shot by private security personnel hired by shop owners.
As per The Citizen, African Diaspora Forum chair Amir Sheikh urged calm, saying: “The loss of any life is tragic and the teenager shot is deeply concerning. Our condolences go to the grieving family, the family of the child and the community.”
Sheikh called for a thorough police investigation, adding: “If private security hired by Ethiopian foreign business owners used lethal force to guard the businesses, this raises serious questions that the police must investigate, including the legality of the security firm, firearm possession and circumstances of the shooting.”
He stressed that “no business interest justifies unlawful lethal force, nor could community grievances justify retaliatory violence. The rule of law must be upheld,” warning that the incident could inflame tensions over migration, crime and foreign-owned businesses if not handled carefully.
Private security officers
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the shooting of the teenager, saying about 100 people had gathered to force a foreign shop owner to leave the area before private security officers allegedly “started shooting randomly and, in the process, a 15-year-old teenager was shot and injured.”
She said protesters later torched the shop, while police officers responding to the scene were pelted with stones. Cases of attempted murder and malicious damage to property have been opened, with no arrests made so far.
Meanwhile, Sandile Dube, national spokesperson for the March and March movement, distanced the organisation from the violence, saying it does not condone any acts of violence.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
