WATCH | Turf war with xenophobic undertones flares up in Durban CBD

Tensions are brewing in Durban as yet another attack against foreign-owned vendors and stalls occurred on Monday. 

In what is now a second surge of violence in less than two weeks, questions are swirling among foreign nationals as to when government will take action to stamp out what some have labelled “clear-cut xenophobia”.

The attacks, alleged to be orchestrated and carried out by members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans (MKMVA), saw two people assaulted and hospitalised on Monday, while at least one vendor’s stall was burnt to the ground on Victoria and Albert Street in the CBD. 

As the provincial government we strongly condemn any attacks and intimidation against anyone based on nationality, ethnicity or race because such incidents, which may be perceived as xenophobic violence, have no place in society. We call for calm and peaceful co-existence in our province.

—  MEC for transport, community safety and liaison, Kwazi Mshengu. 

The attacks have once again drawn conflicting reports from SAPS and Metro Police over who the culprits are behind the violence. 

Metro police spokesperson Supt Zama Dlamini told Sunday Times Daily the clashes on Monday were between alleged MK vets and foreigners who own stores. 

However SAPS spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker refrained from identifying the culprits. 

“A group of unknown men set alight three tables belonging to the street vendors at the corner of Victoria and Albert Street. Two men were assaulted and taken to hospital for medical attention. A case of public violence has been opened for investigation by Durban Central SAPS. Police are at the scene and are monitoring the situation,” he said. 

Senegalese vendor Ali, 52, said his brother’s stall was torched after he was beaten. 

“I was carrying some items. These people came and attacked us. They took our stuff and everything. They burnt our stuff, took our money, cellphones and everything. This is not the first time they have done this. It’s the same people but we don’t know them, because a lot of them were wearing masks. There were more than 50 people. My brother was selling clothes, shoes and blankets. Some items were taken by people and ran away with them.”

Papa Nadr said he was stabbed when he attempted to get into his shop. 

“They came inside the shop and started pouring petrol. After that I went out. There were too many people. They stabbed me because they wanted to enter my shop and take my things.”

The city’s violent past with xenophobia has left many foreign nationals fearing another outburst towards foreigners could be brewing. 

Two weeks ago a similar clash took place near the Workshop.

Kabidu Namurhondola, 56, recalled the the last attack, allegedly at the hands of people in civilian clothing whom she recognised as MKMVA members from previous clashes. 

The Congolese mother said a number of people arrived at the market with weapons, ordering all foreigners to leave the area.

“When they came here on Sunday you could see they were armed and ready to attack. They were carrying machetes and hammers and telling us to quit the market, leave everything and go. Those who could, ran for their lives.”

Another trader, Clarice Ngena, said this was the third attack in recent months.

She alleged they were attacked by a group of people in December last year, looting their stalls and telling them to stop trading at the market.

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The 45-year-old said another attack occurred on February 7.

“On February 7, we saw the same group of people who had assaulted us on December 11. They said we must not worry because they wanted to only deal with the street traders. They told them we are permitted to sell at the market because we’ve been placed there by the municipality.” 

Ngena said she is having sleepless nights, thinking about how she will now make a living for her children, as selling shoes and handbags is her only way of earning an income.

“They told us that we would now have to have to pay them R20 every Sunday. They said they are going to use the money to pay for the fines of their fellow brothers and MKMVAs who are in prison,” she said.

MKMVA KZN convener Zibusise Cele distanced the organisation from any involvement.

“We would like to distance ourselves from that because most of our members are in Nkandla now, with the exception of those who had to go back to their jobs and homes. Everything goes through me and I contact the law enforcement authorities because we discuss our plans with them as well. We also believe there are individuals posing as the MKMVA members in Durban, and are walking around with (fake) camouflage uniforms to look like us,” he said.

The incident sparked intervention from acting MEC for transport, community safety and liaison, Kwazi Mshengu. 

In a statement last week Mshengu’s office said the SAPS attended to complaints of street vendors contesting for trading space.

“Over the weekend Metro Police conducted their routine illegal street trading law enforcement operations in the eThekwini CBD but no injuries were reported. Police also responded to complaints whereby street vendors were contesting trading space, but the trading disputes were also resolved without any injuries.”

Mshengu denounced reports of xenophobic violence re-erupting in eThekwini.

“As the provincial government we strongly condemn any attacks and intimidation against anyone based on nationality, ethnicity or race because such incidents, which may be perceived as xenophobic violence, have no place in society. We call for calm and peaceful coexistence in our province. We have directed law enforcement authorities to take over the streets and maintain law and order in eThekwini because we are not in a banana republic.”

He further urged members of the public to contact police and report anyone planning on carrying out attacks on foreign nationals.

“Police deployments will continue throughout eThekwini but we call on everyone to be responsible and stop circulating false information which causes unnecessary panic,” said Mshengu.