A KFC branch in Diepkloof, Soweto, cautiously reopened on Monday, a day after residents of the Gauteng community held xenophobic demonstrations outside the establishment.
KFC Diepkloof returns to normal operation
Swisher Post News spoke briefly to the manager of the fast food branch, who confirmed that operations have returned to normal with all staff members unharmed.
On Sunday, the KFC branch was forced to close its doors after disgruntled residents gathered outside the premises, chanting struggle songs and calling on the eatery’s management to address claims that foreign nationals are preferred over local talent.
It’s unclear, at this stage, which civic organisation was behind this disruptive picket and while no formal statement was released detailing the reasons for the protest, it’s believed Diepkloof residents are calling for the immediate dismissal of non-South Africans at the branch.
Here’s footage of the unrest that caused disruptions to business at the fast food branch on Sunday:
Soweto residents say this KFC store is employing foreign nationals overlooking South Africans in Diepkloof #KFC (2) pic.twitter.com/3tKv4YvDOn
— Alex Reporter (@AlexReporterZA) October 24, 2021
BREAKING: SOWETO residents have closed down a KFC store in Diepkloof accusing the management of hiring foreign nationals #KFCDiepkloof pic.twitter.com/D1l85K1x5s
— SA emergency reports (@MARIUSBROODRYK) October 25, 2021
At the time this article was published, no reports of unrest in the region had surfaced. However, motorists and commuters are advised to practice caution when travelling in the vicinity of the KFC branch which is situated at the Diepkloof Square shopping district.