Six to appear for public violence after Strand arson spree
SIX Somalian-owned shops were looted and torched in Nomzama, Strand, yesterday following the shooting death of Siyabonga Jozana on Sunday night.
Jozana was in a shop in Solomon Street when a gun was fired. He ran out and was chased, allegedly by the shop owner. As word of 26-year-old Jozana’s death spread, people gathered outside, then looted and set fire to the shop Jozana had run from.
By yesterday afternoon, six other shops were razed to the ground. The owner of the house from where the shop was run, Ntsapo Siyiyana, 35, blamed the looting and arson on opportunistic criminals.
“The house is burnt to the ground and rebuilding will take years because I am not working and was dependent on the rent I receive from this shop. It is going to be difficult,” said Siyiyana.
Community leader Sindile Mkhapha said he was sleeping when the sound of gunfire woke him up. He went outside and saw Jozana lying dead on the street. Mkhapha said the shop owner had complained that Jozana’s music was too loud, the two argued, they fought, a shot was fired and Jozana ran outside.
Jozana’s brother Sanele, 36, said the last time he saw him was Sunday morning.
“We are saddened and we don’t know what we will say to his family in the Eastern Cape, because we don’t know what really happened except hearsay.
“Setting alight shops is not going to bring Siyabonga back,” he said.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said six people were arrested for public violence and are due to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court. No one has been arrested for the murder.