September 04 2006
Almost all 85 recorded Somali deaths in South Africa in a decade have been homicides, with some thrown off moving trains, stabbed or shot, according to the Somali Association of South Africa (Sasa).
The official number of Somalis killed in the country since 1997 stands at 85, but because of a lack of communication, that figure could be as high as 300 according to Sasa director Ahmed Dawlo.
The Western Cape has the highest official number with 38, followed by the Eastern Cape with 30, Gauteng 11, KwaZulu-Natal one, two in Mpumalanga, two in the Northern Cape and one murder in the Free State.
Khayelitsha in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth’s Njoli, New Brighton and Motherwell townships, have been identified as the country’s xenophobic hotspots.
| 28 Somali shopkeepers have been killed |
In the past two months alone, 28 Somali shopkeepers have been killed in the Western Cape. The latest incident was on Friday in Du Noon where a Somali was stabbed to death.
At first police had maintained that the killing of Somalis was motivated purely by robbery, but following last week’s attacks on Somali-owned businesses in Masiphumelele near Kommetjie, they conceded that the murders and attacks were indeed xenophobic. The department of community safety is now investigating allegations that local businessmen were behind some of the province’s attacks.
Dawlo said Sasa kept records of all reported Somali deaths.
“The 85 names are names that the police also have. We have been functioning since 1997. The number is from Beit Bridge (border post to Zimbabwe) to Cape Town, all over South Africa. But because of communication we estimate the deaths could be nearer 95 to 100… some people tell you it could be between 200 and 300. But the confirmed number is 85.
“Before (the more recent killing) we used to think it’s just criminal acts because we were doing business in the townships and they work until late at night. But in the last two months we noticed that this is organised crime. In some cases shopkeepers are just targeted with no cellphone or money taken and that’s what is so alarming. In some cases murder dockets just get closed in one week even though there were leads,” said Dawlo.
| Over 90 percent have been murdered |
He said out of the 85 murders, only five had been women.
“They were all young males between the ages of 15 and 42 years. Over 90 percent have been murdered.”
He said his organisation was started because the Somali interim government is not stable so there are no diplomatic missions in South Africa.
“We act as an organisation that looks after the interests of Somalis. We also liaise with the departments of home affairs and foreign affairs,” said Dawlo.
Meanwhile, the Somalis forced to flee their homes and shops in Masiphumelele are being accommodated at the nearby Noorul Islam Mosque in Ocean View. A decision on whether they will return to the area will be made on Tuesday.
Source: Cape Times, Sept 4, 2006
