Another Somali shopkeeper dies

By Tarryn Le Chat

Yet another Somali has been shot dead in his shop less than 24 hours after two of his compatriots were shot dead at their store on Sunday night. Now community leader’s claim that there is a campaign to hunt them down and execute them.

Four gunmen shot Gulet Abdi Nuur, 27, in the face at point blank range in his shop in an informal settlement in Mfuleni, Kuils River, on Monday night. It is understood nothing was stolen during the incident.

The murder was the latest in a series of attacks on Somalis that leaders of the refugee community denounced as a wave of xenophobia sweeping townships.

Mohammed Qare, of the Mitchell’s Plain Somali community, said his compatriots were unsure of the motives.

“It could be xenophobia, jealousy of our business — Somalis keep a low profile and work hard — or organised crime”, said Qare.

Police spokesperson Billy Jones confirmed that no arrests had been made in the latest two incidents, but could not certain about the other cases.

Mohamed Kaliph, of the Bellville Somali community says, “It is more dangerous to live here than in Somalia. If you are killed there, it is for a reason. We came here for peace and safety, now we would rather go home”.

“All we are asking for is to be protected or to be allowed to go home”, said Ismail Yusuf, who was shot in February and hospitalised for a month.