Unrest in Riviersonderend following man’s death

www.eyewitnessnews.co.za

Regan Thaw | 12 01 2010

Police are keeping a close eye on the Riviersonderened area following unrest in the town on Monday.

A group of residents went on the rampage attacking Somali-owned shops. Police said tensions had been simmering since last month after a man was found dead.

The police’s November Filander said locals believe a group of Somalis were responsible for the man’s death.

“According to the community this person was last seen in the presence of Somalians. Police postmortem results showed the man died of natural causes,” said Filander.

Somalis’ shops looted in Western Cape

www.iol.co.za

January 12 2010

Western Cape police fired rubber bullets to disperse about 400 Riviersonderend residents who went on a rampage, attacking and looting shops owned by Somali nationals.

« It was not a xenophobic attack. Residents were angry because police had found a body of a 20-year-old in the bushes. The man was reported missing in December and was last seen with Somalis, » Inspector November Filander said on Tuesday.

The residents mobilised and submitted a request for a march, but the municipality denied them permission. Residents went ahead anyway and police intervened when the march turned violent and the locals started looting Somali-owned shops at 8pm on Monday.

Residents go on rampage after man’s death

www.iol.co.za

January 12 2010

By Bronwynne Jooste

Hundreds of Riviersonderend residents, who apparently believe that foreigners in the area were involved in the death of a local man, embarked on a violent rampage in the small town on Monday night.

~ par Alain Bertho sur 12 janvier 2010.

Publié dans émeutes, riots