Protesters brought Du noon to a standstill on Monday by looting shops owned by foreign nationals. All roads leading to Du Noon were blocked police tried to contain the violence ensured. The Somali Community of South Africa (SCOSA) is trying to evacuate all foreign national spaza shop owners.

SCOSA confirmed that approximately 60 spaza shops were evacuated from the area and 10 were torched. The organisation is assisting in relocating foreign nationals from Du Noon to Belville South.

“We have moved these people and their things to Belville South until the matter has been resolved,” says SCOSA Cape Town spokesperson Buohann Chlun.

Violence escalated after angry protesters emptied out rubbish bins in the streets after stripping spaza shops and dragging out Somali shop owners in demand of land for adequate housing.

Shop owners confirmed that staffs were being held at ransom by demonstrators while their property is tortured.
Metro police declared the area on lock down as foreigners fled for their lives creating road closures to accommodate those affected.

“All roads leading to Du Noon have been blocked mainly from Killarney Road and Killarney Gardens,” says Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa.

Protest action spilled over into all public transport facilities leaving a MyCiti bus terminal stoned and Metrorail train services disrupted after vandalism and arson by raging protesters.

The City confirmed that protesters barricaded bus terminus preventing commuters from entering and exiting the premises.

“Routes in the Melkbos/Atlantis/Table View area have been affected. Protesters are preventing buses to leave the depot,” said a City official.

Police confirmed that all entrances to the suburb were blocked by Nyalas for most of Monday around 3am and that officials are investigating a case of public violence.

“A case of public violence was opened for investigation today at about 03:30. Currently Posdam road is closed,” says SAPS spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana.

Police are on the scene monitoring the situation.

12 suspects were arrested last night and are expected to appear in court once charged.

VOC