Shopkeepers remain on alert after violence in Dunoon

SOME Dunoon foreign shopkeepers say they will not reopen their businesses until calm is restored as they fear violence may flare up again.

Scores of foreign shopkeepers were forced to flee Dunoon after their shops were looted and damaged when violence protests broke out.

Some Dunoon residents went on a rampage, blocking roads with burning objects, containers set alight and a MyCiTi bus station severely damaged.

The chaos broke out after some residents were angered by the City's feedback to their demands of land for backyard dwellers.

More police were deployed to maintain order in the area. Twelve people were arrested for public violence, possession of stolen property and malicious damage to property.

Some shopkeepers visited the area to assess if it was safe to return their stock. Others have already started operating.

Somali shopkeeper Abdulla Omar Mohamad, who has been running his business in Dunoon for more than 15 years, said some residents have apologised about what had happened to their shops.

“Residents said it was criminals who were behind what happened. I will have to fix my shop before I could bring back my staff. People want us to open, but I will open mine when I feel it is safe to do so,” said Mohamad.

Zimbabwean national Martin Chakasikwa was still trying to recover the R18 000 in stock he lost after his shop was looted during the violence. He said more than half of his stock was stolen.

“There has (been) slow progress. Some residents have realised the cons as a result of what happened. It is still too early to say it’s safe because about 40 percent of the shops have opened,” said Chakasikwa. He said shopkeepers would have fears whenever there were small gatherings.

“We are on high alert the whole time because we don’t know what is being discussed in those gatherings. We sometimes hear people talking about how much of the inconvenience has been caused by what happened. An apology is something you never get,” he said.

Another shopkeeper, Salah Omar Hussain, said he and his family were left destitute after the violence.

“I have no idea of when we will go back. I can say we will go back when it’s safe. At the moment we sleep at our close relative’s place in Bellville. We fear if we go back this time, someone might lose their (life),” he said.

Dunoon resident Xolani Cekiso said they had a meeting with shopkeepers and assured them that it was safe to return. He said their shops were not looted by residents but by individuals who were paid to cause the violence in the area.

Meanwhile, mayor Patricia de Lille will get feedback from Dunoon community leaders about their discussions with residents.

De Lille met the area’s leadership last week to address service delivery concerns.