Probe ordered into Somali killings

By Nadia Samie

31 August 2006

Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool has ordered a probe into the killings of Somali’s living and working in Cape Town. The total number of Somali’s killed in the past month alone is thought to be 27.

The investigation comes after the looting of almost 30 Somali-owned shops in Masiphumelele near Kommetjie, earlier this week. Many Somali shopkeepers have fled the informal settlement. The shopkeepers and other Somali’s are being housed at the Ocean View police station and the local community centre.

According to reports, the South African Human Rights Commission will meet with the Somali’s to hear their concerns. Meanwhile, Rasool has approached MEC for Community Safety, Leonard Ramatlakane to investigate the allegations that rival businesspeople are hiring hitmen to attack the Somali shopkeepers.

Rasool told the media yesterday that South Africans could learn a lot from the Somali business-owners, adding that he believed the motive behind the attacks is that the Somali’s have been successful.

So far two arrests have been made. Anyone with information regarding the attacks is asked to contact crime-stop on 08600-10111.