A Somali-owned shop has been ransacked just metres away from where the National Police Commissioner was making an anti-xenophobia speech.
While Nathi Mthethwa told the Khayelitsha community that people who attacked foreigners risked the full might of the law, a crowd of about 200 people was looting a shop nearby.
When the Daily Voice arrived at the scene, shopkeeper Deego Mohamed was frantically packing what was left of his stock into a car.
Mohamed said the mob entered his shop shortly after 1pm on Friday and started helping themselves.
"One of them was armed with a gun and he told me to shut up while others were taking the groceries," he said.
Police spokeswoman Nosiphiwo Mtengwana said another shop in the area hurriedly packed up as well after the news of the first attack spread.
However, locals who attended Mthethwa's meeting vowed to protect foreigners living amongst them.
Community leader Michael Hamco told the Daily Voice that those who attack foreigners are nothing but thugs.
"These are just criminals who roam the street and have nothing to do," he said.
"We will protect the foreign nationals. We don't want anyone who has the intention of attacking the foreigners living here with us."
A fired-up Mthethwa told the crowd of about 500 people, which included Somalis, that criminals considering attacking foreigners would face the full might of the law.
"The police will take these things very seriously," he vowed.
"The people who are behind this are criminals."
While Nathi Mthethwa told the Khayelitsha community that people who attacked foreigners risked the full might of the law, a crowd of about 200 people was looting a shop nearby.
When the Daily Voice arrived at the scene, shopkeeper Deego Mohamed was frantically packing what was left of his stock into a car.
Mohamed said the mob entered his shop shortly after 1pm on Friday and started helping themselves.
"One of them was armed with a gun and he told me to shut up while others were taking the groceries," he said.
Police spokeswoman Nosiphiwo Mtengwana said another shop in the area hurriedly packed up as well after the news of the first attack spread.
However, locals who attended Mthethwa's meeting vowed to protect foreigners living amongst them.
Community leader Michael Hamco told the Daily Voice that those who attack foreigners are nothing but thugs.
"These are just criminals who roam the street and have nothing to do," he said.
"We will protect the foreign nationals. We don't want anyone who has the intention of attacking the foreigners living here with us."
A fired-up Mthethwa told the crowd of about 500 people, which included Somalis, that criminals considering attacking foreigners would face the full might of the law.
"The police will take these things very seriously," he vowed.
"The people who are behind this are criminals."
- Daily Voice
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