Health authorities must also crack whip

FOREIGNERS living in South Africa have been attacked before simply because they were not South African. Flimsy reasons given were that they took jobs or governmentsponsored houses that rightfully belonged to locals, or that they had the effrontery to go out with South African women.

Last week, foreigners were again targeted by locals. Mobs went on the rampage in Soweto to protest against what was termed substandard food sold by foreigners – mainly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Somalians.

According to the demonstrators, the source of their anger was the ellegedly expired food sold at these shops, in some cases up to a year after the sell-by date.

Another was that items with counterfeit labels were on sale.

Four people died – shot dead by frightened foreign traders who were protecting their possessions.

Thumbs-up to the police who arrested dozens of suspects, who no doubt will have to clarify to the courts the vexed question of why people looted the very food against which they were protesting.

Even more vexing is why trading in allegedly toxic food was taking place under the noses of food inspectors.

Protests against foreigners have required little spark to erupt. Add rotten foodstuffs and fake goods, and it’s a veritable explosive mix.

Such dodgy business practices have no place in South Africa.