Wisani Makhubele

Foreign owned shops were looted after a teenager was killed in Soweto.(REUTERS)

Chairperson of the Somali community board has urged foreign nationals not to return to the townships for now.

The board’s chairperson Amir Schaik says tensions could erupt again after January’s looting and violence incidences.

Violence erupted in Soweto after a teenager, Siphiwe Mahori, who allegedly tried to loot a foreigner’s store was shot dead.

The incident sparked violence in other townships including Boipatong and Kagiso.

Residents went on a rampage looting foreign owned stores. This resulted in the death of five other people in Soweto.

Police were deployed to the areas and the provincial government called for calm.

The four Somali nationals who allegedly shot and killed Mahori will appear at the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria.

They have been charged with charge of murder.

Non- Governmental Organisations in Soweto, the Africa Diaspora Forum, Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee, as well as the United Front held a public meeting on Saturday to discuss the attacks.

The civil society groups say every South African must contribute towards finding a lasting solution to the looting incidents.

The Democratic Alliance says the looting is rooted in unemployment and poverty.

The party has blamed the ANC for failing to deliver its promises on job recreation. The government has meanwhile called on South Africans to be patient.

“Job creation in South Africa is one of the biggest challenges, how do we deal with it? We have programs in government that we have put into place that of course cannot be done within a short space of time,” says Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu.

Source: SABC