Fifteen in court for threatening Umlazi foreigners

11 May 2015 - 14:22 By Nivashni Nair

Fifteen people have been arrested for allegedly sending threatening letters to foreign shop owners in Umlazi. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the group‚ calling themselves Umlazi business traders‚ sent letters to the foreigners operating in Q and W sections‚ demanding that they close their shops and relocate."A case of intimidation was opened at Umlazi police station for investigation. Fifteen suspects aged between 23 and 50 were arrested and charged for intimidation. They are appearing in the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court today‚" he said.KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “I would like to express that any intimidation directed to anyone is to be treated as such‚ therefore we shall have those involved behind bars.“I would like to warn others who are still thinking of committing the same offence to refrain from those thoughts because we will not turn a blind eye towards any criminal activities.”A recent spate of xenophobic attacks‚ sparked by anger over foreigners owning businesses and gaining employment locally‚ left seven dead. - The Times..

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