Sharpeville residents vow not to back down after shutting down foreign-owned spaza shops

JOHANNESBURG - Spaza shops owned by foreign nationals in Sharpeville have been shut down by community members following the murder of a local businessman.

Papi Mokhema was shot outside his store in the township on Wednesday, allegedly by foreign nationals who own spaza shops in the area.

This incited outrage among residents, who later looted and destroyed foreign-owned stores on Thursday.

Eight people allegedly involved in the looting have been arrested.

While police continue to monitor the township, spaza shops owned by foreign nationals remain closed.

READ: Sharpeville residents shut down foreign-owned spaza shops

But frustrated residents are seemingly not deterred by the police’s presence as they continue to speak out against the alleged sale of expired food. 
  
Community leader Jacob Matlaletsa said they would not allow any foreign-owned spaza shop to operate in Sharpeville.

"We closed the spaza shops of all the foreigners. There's no one looting them. We took out the stock and they must leave our township," he said.

Meanwhile, spaza shops owned by South Africans are operating as normal in the township.

'GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TO HELP US' - SHARPEVILLE RESIDENTS

Some Sharpeville residents bemoan the government for failing to act against spaza shops that continue to sell expired food.

One resident says the spaza shops must now be handed over to South Africans struggling to find employment.

“We are pleading with landlords to evict foreign nationals from their spaza shops. We want them to work with South Africans instead.”

She added the government must pull up its socks.

“The government doesn’t want to help us. Even police don’t want us to chase the foreign nations out of our community.” 

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MOKHEMA

Bereaved Sharpeville residents are expected to hold a memorial service in honour of Mokhema on Friday night.

Mokhema owned seven spaza shops in the township and a wholesaler that many rely on to purchase groceries and other essentials. 

Another community leader, Vuyelwa Dladla, raised questions about the motive behind his killing, questioning why anyone would want to harm a man dedicated to serving his community.

“What happened here is hurtful. The people who shot him, clearly knew what they were doing. He was just a spaza shop owner.”

She said to honour his memory, foreign-owned spaza shops must remain closed.