Cars go up in flames in kasi clash

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via WhatsAppShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInNewsCars go up in flames in kasi clashBy: Nhlanhla Khomola • 2h agoAdd as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsListen to this article-00:00lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandAbout 10 vehicles were torched in Orlando West, Soweto on Thursday afternoon, 8 October. (Nhlanhla Khomola) Violence erupts after protest over asylum ruling ABOUT 10 vehicles torched in Orlando West, Soweto, after a clash between residents and alleged foreign nationals running spaza shops in the area.

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The violence erupted on Thursday afternoon, 8 October after residents demonstrated at the local Home Affairs offices over the Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.

Community leader, Tshepo Mposula said the demonstration was supposed to be peaceful, but tensions escalated when residents moved through the area to close spaza shops they believed were being run by foreign nationals.

Mposula said some shop owners cooperated with the residents, but the situation changed when they reached one particular shop.

10 cars torched in Orlando West as spaza shop clash turns DEADLY! 🔥 Gunshots allegedly fired, residents say they're "undermined in their own country." How did we get here? #DailySun #OrlandoWest #Soweto Photos by Nhlanhla Khomola pic.twitter.com/wsLOpRw3Zj

“But when we went to this particular shop, there was a lot of resistance and there was an influx now of foreigners. As you can see, these are their cars that have been set alight. They came here and they were armed.”

He alleged that shots were fired at residents during the confrontation.

“They started firing shots at the residents. Luckily, JMPD was around. JMPD defended the residents. They fired the shots back. That’s when the guys ran away.”

Mposula said the alleged shooting angered residents, who then torched vehicles belonging to the foreign nationals.

“So now, you are having a situation of foreigners who are armed in the country and that has angered the residents. Now, they started torching their cars. As you can see, about nine cars have been set alight.”

He said the violence was an unfortunate escalation of what was intended to be a peaceful demonstration.

“This was not supposed to escalate to this level. Unfortunately, the residents were provoked, you know, because this was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration and it ended up escalating to this level.”

Mposula said at least two people were hurt during the confrontation.

“There are people because now there was an exchange. Stones were thrown around and there is one of the community members that was injured on the foot and there is another foreigner who was hit, you know, on the head during that exchange.”

“Unfortunately, there are two people that we have witnessed that got hurt. There could be more.”

Mposula said the residents were protesting because they wanted South Africans to be prioritised.

“People went to Home Affairs to say that priority must be given to South Africans, you know, as you know, we have done previously, you know, with the clinics and stuff.”

He also criticised government over the amount of money allegedly being spent on policing and monitoring protests linked to the issue.

“You are spending 600 million protecting foreigners, instead of investing the money to uplift our young people. We can have young people who can run these spaza shops.

“This cannot be accepted and we are really disappointed with this government.”

Mposula said he is a deployee of ActionSA but was speaking in his capacity as a community member.

Police and other authorities have yet to provide further details on the incident.

Passionate news journalist with a strong interest in investigative reporting, crime, courts, social justice and community news. Dedicated to uncovering the truth, Nhlanhla is committed to telling impactful stories that give a voice to ordinary people while holding those in positions of power accountable

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