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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A ZIMBABWEAN man was attacked and killed at his tuck-shop in South Africa following violent attacks by South Africans who targeted foreigners as taxi drivers went on a rampage.

During a patrol on Sunday, police discovered the body of a local taxi driver with two stab wounds and this drove South African taxi drivers into a frenzy.
They embarked on a spate of attacks targeting foreigners whom they accused of having killed their country man.

North West province police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, confirmed the incident that occurred on Monday in Klerksdorp.

He said the name of the victim would be released after his family had been contacted.

“Investigations into the murder of the 28-year-old Zimbabwean man are still underway but police have managed to arrest nine people for public violence.

“Suspects alleged to be taxi drivers pounced on the victim of Zimbabwean nationality who was manning his tuckshop (spaza shop) in Klerksdorp and they stabbed him once in the chest. The violent gang proceeded to damage a number of houses and burnt down cars,” he said.

Brig Mokgwabone said the situation started getting tense after police on patrol found the body of the deceased taxi driver on Sunday morning.

“It came out later that the body with two stab wounds was of a local taxi driver and this allegedly angered his colleagues. A group of taxi drivers gathered with the intention of avenging the death of their colleague‚ claiming he had been killed by foreigners.

“According to information available at this stage‚ reports suggest that later during the day‚ they allegedly attacked the Zimbabwean and stabbed him with a knife in his chest while at his tuckshop. He was declared dead upon arrival at hospital ‚” he said.

Brig Mokgwabone said before the killing‚ a group of people were seen setting hawkers’ stalls alight at the taxi rank.

“The public order policing unit managed to normalise the situation and police arrested nine suspects‚ aged between 22 and 52‚ in connection with the murder of the foreign man and for public violence. They are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today (yesterday).

“At around midday on Monday‚ violence had also erupted at Pienaarsdorp where numerous foreign nationals live, with community members seen damaging and burning property.

“A number of vehicles had been burnt at a workshop belonging to a foreign national. They also attempted to loot a tyre shop‚ but police managed to disperse them‚” he said.

The South African government said in a series of tweets posted on its official account‚ that it was deeply concerned about the violent clashes in Klerksdorp.

“We are calling for calm and we are appealing to the communities of Klerksdorp to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.”

While people had the right to demonstrate if they felt aggrieved for any reason‚ “we appeal to the community to allow the police space to do their work and restore order in the area”.

Two weeks ago, South Africans embarked on a spate of raids, attacks and looting from shops owned by foreigners, accusing them of selling sub-standard goods.

The Zimbabwe Consul General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, assured Zimbabweans of safety from the attacks.

He said Zimbabweans based in the neighbouring country were safe from the raids as they do not own similar shops.—@winnie_masara