Black African foreign-owned shops were targeted in Soweto Wednesday evening as some residents went on a looting spree.
A night of violence and intimidation erupted in Soweto, Johannesburg on Wednesday night, as dozens of local residents turned on the black African foreign nationals who run spaza shops in the area.
A number of stores were targeted by the community. Police have attempted to restore calm in the area throughout the early hours of the morning, as they try to find a motive to this case.
The looting incidents were confirmed in Zola, Emdeni, Moletsane, White City, Zondi and Rockville by police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele.
He said that there was no indication yet as to why the looting had started, and said the police officers on the ground were monitoring the situation.
At least six people have been arrested so far.
Reacting to the news, The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) condemned the looting of shops owned by non-nationals in different parts of Soweto, and called on everyone to respect and uphold the rule of law and refrain from criminal actions, particularly when such acts are directed against vulnerable groups.
This is however not the first time black African foreign-owned shops have been targeted in Soweto, at around the same time last year, several shops were looted with many residents accusing the establishments of selling fake goods and expired foods.
