Immigrant Shop Owners Pay for Protection From 'Xenophobia'

Immigrants who own shops in the Eastern Cape town of Cofimvaba say the South African National Civic Organization, together with the Intsika Yethu Business Forum, have been forcing them to pay if they want their businesses to be "protected" against xenophobic attacks.

Discount supermarket business owner Ratan Mohammed said: “It was clear to me that by closing our shops, this was their way to make sure we pay the money.”

InFocus

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.