In a distressing turn of events in Soweto, Johannesburg, a street trader experienced severe trauma as a group associated with Operation Dudula ransacked her vegetable stall. The incident unfolded when a mob, clad in Operation Dudula T-shirts and including members with Patriotic Alliance regalia, descended on the trader’s stall, disrupting her business and leaving her in fear.
The trader, a Mozambican national who has lived in South Africa for approximately 12 years and holds valid permits, was forced to retreat into her house and lock herself inside. From her vantage point, she witnessed as her tomatoes, onions, and potatoes were thrown to the ground while the group chanted struggle songs. The trader, who has six children, reported her fear and desperation, revealing that despite presenting her permits, the group dismissed them, saying the documents were not valid.
In a poignant interview with Sowetan, the woman, who chose to remain unnamed for safety reasons, expressed her profound distress. “I don’t even know where to start. I don’t even have money to go home to Maputo, but I want to go back home because you can see I’m being abused here,” she said.
This raid is part of a broader campaign by Operation Dudula, a group known for targeting migrant-owned businesses. The violence and intimidation began on Monday following a shooting incident on Saturday in White City, allegedly involving a shop owner. Operation Dudula members have since been conducting raids, identifying and forcibly removing non-South African shop owners. They assist in packing up the owners’ belongings and organizing transport for them, often against their will.
In the wake of these raids, shop owners in the area have been reluctant to speak out, citing fear of reprisal. Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula emphasized that their actions aim to ensure community safety and expressed frustration with the resistance they face. “It’s very frustrating that they are even ready to pick up guns and shoot at us. They need to leave and we will close all the shops around White City and it’s not going to end here. We will close down all the tuck shops and talk to different stakeholders to help our people to take over,” Dabula stated.
During one of the raids, a police van and a minibus with crime prevention wardens were observed arriving at the scene. However, they reportedly remained in their vehicles for about five minutes before leaving, without intervening further.
The violence has roots in a recent shooting incident involving Lusanda Ngxongo, 24, who was shot in a shop on Saturday. His mother, Anna Mnisi, 42, recounted the distressing news of her son’s injury and described the events leading up to the shooting. “I received a call in the afternoon that my son was shot and I should rush to the clinic. When I rushed to the clinic, I was told that my son was at a hospital. I was told by my neighbours that after he came from work, he and his friend decided to get a drink from a shop. He spilled the drink on the floor and the shop owner got angry and shot him twice in the stomach,” Mnisi said.
Police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza confirmed the investigation of a case of attempted murder. “I can confirm that there was a person shot and injured and the person is in a stable condition in hospital,” Kweza said. As of yesterday afternoon, around 18 tuck shops had been raided.
The escalating tensions in Soweto highlight the broader issues of xenophobia, community violence, and the precarious situation faced by many migrants. The raids underscore the urgent need for dialogue and intervention to address the root causes of these conflicts and ensure the safety and dignity of all residents.
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In a recent interview with Newzroom Afrika, Miss South Africa Mia Le Roux has publicly addressed the challenging experience of fellow contestant Chidinma Asetshina, who withdrew from the pageant amidst allegations of bullying and a controversy involving her mother’s legal issues.
Asetshina, affectionately known as Chichi, was initially a strong contender in the Miss South Africa competition. However, her journey was marred by a series of unfortunate events, including the revelation of a fraud case involving her mother and alleged mistreatment from other contestants. Read More
