Four Somali traders killed in SA

January 01 2005 at 02:15PM

Myolisi Gophe

Somali refugees are playing a growing role in the trading scene in the Western Cape and are paying for it with their lives. Four Somalis have been killed in recent attacks, apparently motivated by xenophobia and local resentment at their business acumen.

Three Somali traders were stabbed to death in their Thembalethu tuckshop-cum-home in George last Friday. Another was shot dead in his spaza shop in Bonga Drive, Khayelitsha, on Christmas Day.

One man has been arrested in connection with the George murders and police are searching for the man who shot Salah Abdi Ketsane in broad daylight. Police have not yet disclosed the names of the George victims. Nothing was stolen in either incident, ruling out robbery as a motive and raising suspicion that business rivalry may be the reason.

Somalis, widely regarded as peace-loving compared with other African immigrants, have made their mark as enterprising businesspeople in the Cape.

A Somali trader running a clothing store in the Sanlam Centre in Site B, Khayelitsha, said their good business sense was "a God-given gift". But it has aroused resentment among local businessmen who want them out.

Ainanshe Mohamed, Ketsane's cousin, said the Somali community was worried and wondering who would be next. He said the murderer had pretended to be shopping, "asking how much is this, how much is that" before drawing a gun and shooting Ketsane in the head at point-blank range.

Although prices at their business were normal and not lower than competitors, their shop was attracting many customers.

"But I don't want to say jealousy was the reason; I'm just puzzled why my cousin was killed," he said.

Another Somali trader in the centre said their aim was not to do business to get rich but to provide a service and that might make competitors jealous.

Provincial authorities have stressed that the Western Cape is a home for all.

Makhaya Mani, spokesperson for Western Cape Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane, said it would be "very disappointing" if the police investigations into the murders found that xenophobia was the motive.

He said the government would not tolerate xenophobia and the arrest of a man in George was proof that police would do everything in their power to get to the bottom of the attacks.

Christina Henda, director of the Cape Town Refugee Centre, said she was saddened by the attacks and would investigate to see if they were xenophobic so the centre could intensify education programmes.

Xenophobic attacks had diminished recently, although refugees had experienced discrimination at places and institutions such as hospitals and government offices.