Cape Town – Members of Operation Dudula, a group in Naledi, South Africa, have reportedly pledged to permanently close all foreign-owned spaza shops in the area.
The decision follows the tragic deaths of two young boys, Leon Jele Mogagabe and Neo Khang, aged six and four, who allegedly consumed poisonous biscuits bought from a spaza shop in the neighbourhood.
Initially, the community had decided to temporarily close foreign-owned shops while awaiting the results of police investigations into the incident, EWN reported.
However, Operation Dudula is now pushing for a permanent closure, claiming that the township economy should be exclusive to South Africans and accusing foreign-owned businesses of draining the local economy.
“We have also heard the secretary of the ruling party stating that it is reserved for South Africans and while they just saying it, they need to start practising it.
“We want these people out of our townships because they are draining our economy,” the report quoted the organisation’s spokesperson, Zandile Dabula, as saying.
WATCH: Soweto residents have gathered at Naledi Hall to bid farewell to Neo Kgang (4) and Leon Jele (6). The two boys died allegedly after eating biscuits bought from a spaza shop owned by a foreign national. The cause of death is not yet known. Details on @POWER987News. pic.twitter.com/g7wXF68Wd3
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) October 11, 2023
The forensic test results for the children’s blood and the biscuits are still pending, according to the police.
Last month, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula declared that foreign nationals operating spaza and house shop should legally be kicked out.
Mbalula was speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo.
Maphumulo was the president of the traditional leaders of South Africa who was killed in February 1991 during the violence that plagued South Africa at the end of apartheid
Mbalula said South Africa cannot be a free-for-all for anyone, and the government should keep the sector reserved for locals, IOL reported.
He said the spaza shop industry is worth billions of rands, run mainly by foreign nationals but the government should regulate the industry so that locals can benefit.
“Our country is full of Pakistanis and that is a problem. They are now smart, they even call themselves Maphumulos, but when you get there you realise that this is a Pakistani.
“When you ask what happened to Maphumulo, you are told that his business was taken over by this chap,” Mbalula said.
“We must legally stop that, we are in power now, we must not complain as if we are not in power,” he said, getting a round of applause from the people who attended the gathering.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
