Thabile Kweyama

A Somalian owned tuck shop was robbed by two unarmed men following allegations of drug dealings in Umlazi, in the early hours on Monday.

Yusif Hosain, a shop owner said that he is of the many immigrant shop owners from Somalia who are constantly living in fear in the township due to xenophobic attacks. Hosain stated that the robbery may have been caused by unpleased community members since a foreigner had bought a tuck shop that was previously owned by a South African.

“I heard unusual noise from outside and I realised that something was wrong. The robbers used crowbars and other tools to force entry from the back door,” said Hosain.

The robbery comes after Hosain was accused by community members of allegedly selling drugs to young children. He claimed that the allegations were made against him because of his nationality and stereotypes against foreign nationals. Some community members identify his tuck shop as a ‘drug hotspot’.

Ward committee member, Andiswa Mthembu, strongly condemned the incident and said that she has seen children smoking weed by the shop but it is possible that drugs are not being sold there.

Phindile Sithole, a community member said children smoke by the shop because they are scared of being seen by their parents. According to the South Africa 2020 Crime and Safety report there is competition between African nationalities which causes violence in townships.

The two robbers stole money and almost all the food that was on the shelves while Hosain was pointed with a knife. “I feared for my life so I co-operated and did not fight back,” he said. He further stated that after the robbers left he contacted the police.

A case was opened at a local police station and no arrests have been made yet.