Lead

Foreign-owned businesses in Durban are counting their losses after a wave of looting hit the city during protests demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa. The demonstrations, which took place on June 30, saw several shops stripped of goods, with some owners estimating damages running into millions of rand.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from Africa News and AllAfrica, both drawing on accounts from the ground, paints a consistent picture of the violence and its economic toll. Africa News described the aftermath in Durban, where looters stripped shops of food, appliances, building material, and clothing. AllAfrica, citing a report by EWN, noted that at least eight shops in Mariannridge and six in Clermont were targeted, with businesses in Hammarsdale and Umlazi also affected.

Both outlets highlighted the case of Lovemore Supermarket in Clermont, which lost more than R1 million worth of stock and sustained extensive property damage. The supermarket was owned by a Somali family who had lived in the community for more than a decade and employed 19 local people, who are now unemployed.

Key Claims

  • Looting and damage: Several shops near Durban were ransacked, with shelves stripped and packaging discarded. Looters took food, appliances, building material, and clothing, according to Africa News.
  • Number of shops affected: At least eight shops in Mariannridge and six in Clermont were targeted, as reported by AllAfrica.
  • Lovemore Supermarket losses: The store lost over R1 million in stock and suffered extensive property damage, according to AllAfrica.
  • Arrests: Around 900 people were arrested during the protests, including undocumented foreigners and South African looters, reported Africa News. Most marches were peaceful, but a small number required law enforcement intervention.
  • Protest demands: The demonstrations were part of a weeks-long campaign led by fringe groups demanding that illegal immigrants leave by June 30, according to Africa News. Thousands of people had already fled in the lead-up to the protests.
  • Owner account: Mohamed Abdul, a Somali shop owner in Clermont, told Africa News that a large group of protesters stormed his shop, which sold food, hardware, and clothing. "We are not illegal in the country but they just started looting. I was scared and felt betrayed because we had 19 people employed here but today they have no job," he said. He added that looters even took an ATM machine from inside the supermarket.
  • Community reaction: Community leaders have condemned the attacks, blaming criminal elements for the violence, as reported by AllAfrica.

Perspectives

Protesters and organizers: The protests were organized by fringe groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa, accusing them of taking jobs from locals. Police reported that most of the 120 marches nationwide were peaceful, with only 12 requiring law enforcement intervention.

Shop owners: Foreign-owned businesses, many run by Somali immigrants, described feeling betrayed and scared. Mohamed Abdul noted that his shop had been a main source of supplies for the community and that he had donated to families in need. He expressed uncertainty about reopening, with losses potentially reaching millions of rand.

Community leaders: Leaders in areas like Clermont condemned the attacks, attributing the violence to criminal elements rather than the broader protest movement.