Somalis go to war in Kuyga near Port Elizabeth

A man was murdered and shops were looted in the Kuyga informal settlement near Port Elizabeth in clashes between groups of Somalians, Eastern Cape police said on Wednesday.

Ibraham Ali Hasson, 37, was shot dead in his shop around 10pm on Monday, police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said.

"It is alleged that the deceased received threats that if he opened his shop something will happen to him. The threats were allegedly from another Somalian fraternity."

A murder case was opened.

Shops were looted on Tuesday night in what was believed to be a "reaction to the murder".

"It is alleged that a lady from the community is renting out premises to a certain Somalian faction and assisting in the establishment of spaza shops in the area.

There is currently friction between the Somalian groups in the area regarding the opening of shops."

One group of Somalians allegedly incited local residents to loot shops belonging to their countrymen in the area. Van Rensburg said it was "definitely not related to xenophobia".

All shops in the area were closed on Tuesday night. No one was injured and after the looting locals returned to their homes.

A South African man was searched and found in possession of a gun and ammunition on Tuesday night. He was arrested and expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

"The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing and the possibility that the same firearm was used in the murder on Monday evening will be investigated."