Sharpeville has been gripped by intense unrest, with residents protesting and looting foreign-owned spaza shops.
Story Summary:
- Sharpeville residents have intensified protests, looting foreign-owned spaza shops due to grievances over local economic opportunities.
- Tensions escalated after the death of a local businessman, though it’s unclear if it is linked to the protests.
- This unrest follows similar incidents in Soweto and Naledi, where foreign-owned shops were targeted over safety concerns related to tainted goods.
Sharpeville riots: Here are the latest updates
Tensions escalated on Thursday, as angry community members targeted these businesses, demanding that foreign shop owners leave the township for good.
Roads have been barricaded, and the once-bustling streets of the historic township have come to a halt, from Phelandaba to Vuka.
The protests, which began earlier in the week, were initially sparked by long-standing frustrations over foreign nationals running small businesses in the area, which locals claim are depriving them of economic opportunities.
Residents accuse foreign shop owners of selling expired goods and claim that the money spent in these stores does not benefit the local community.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the situation turned deadly on Wednesday when a local businessman was shot and killed.
His friend was also injured during the attack.
While it is not yet clear if this incident is directly related to the ongoing protests, tensions remain high, and violence has persisted into Thursday, with residents continuing to loot spaza shops.
Foreign-owned spaza shops under fire in Gauteng
The Sharpeville protests come amid a larger pattern of unrest in Gauteng, where foreign-owned spaza shops have become the focal point of community grievances.
In Soweto and Naledi, similar protests broke out following the tragic deaths of six children who reportedly consumed contaminated snacks purchased from foreign-owned shops.
These incidents sparked outrage, leading residents to shut down dozens of shops.
In response to the Soweto tragedy, local authorities launched a series of raids targeting non-compliant spaza shops.
Inspections revealed several shops selling expired goods, prompting arrests and closures.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and Gauteng Health Department have conducted blitz operations across townships, ensuring that all businesses adhere to safety standards.
These tensions have exacerbated frustrations in townships like Sharpeville, where locals demand not only safer products but also a shift in ownership of businesses within their communities.
Operation Dudula, an organisation known for its anti-foreigner stance, has been vocal in its support of such actions, advocating for the shutdown of foreign-owned businesses across Gauteng.
