Somalian shopkeepers receives threats in Gug’s

By Mandisi Tyulu
15 June 2009

Gugulethu police say they are investigating allegations of intimidation between local traders and Somali shopkeepers.

Gugulethu traders have allegedly delivered warning letters to foreign store owners, demanding them to vacate the area within seven days.

Gugulethu police spokesperson Elliot Sinyangana says they are investigating the matter.

Sinyangana says police are trying to find out who wrote the letter ordering the Somalis to leave the township.

He says the letter is very informal, with no address or name on it.

Police will be having a meeting with local traders and Somali shopkeepers today.

Sinyangana says he hopes the issues will be sorted out.

Last year, more than 20 000 foreigners fled informal settlements as xenophobic violence broke out. Around 60 people were killed across the country.

Most of the foreigners have since been reintegrated into the squatter camps they lived in before the violence, except those still living at the Bluewaters Camp at Strandfontein.