South Africa; clashes lead to the torching of 12 taxis in Gqeberha
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In the aftermath of the recent violence, xenophobic tensions remain high in Gqeberha between South Africans and the Somali community.
Though things appear to have calmed down, the smaller incident could lead to further unrest.
Four businesses, eight minibus taxis, and a car were set on fire earlier this week.
MTVSomali.com understands that Somali nationals were worried after the violence erupted between local South Africans living in Gqeberha and the Somali community.
Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, arrived in Gqeberha and held meetings with stakeholders.
According to local media, the area is still tense and hasn’t been able to return to normal yet despite efforts to defuse the situation.
According to another local media report, 12 taxis are believed to have been torched amid violent confrontations between local taxi operators and Somali residents in Gqeberha.
Local residents reported that two cars and a shop were also caught in the crosshairs in the Korsten area after allegedly being set alight on Wednesday.
local reports say that the alleged clashes have been attributed to a road rage incident that occurred after a minor collision between a taxi and a private vehicle driven by a foreign national.
Meanwhile, downtown Johannesburg has been caught up in a commotion following the torching of four minibus taxis.
The incident is believed to be the latest in a series of taxi violence incidents in the area.
In the inner city, the incident occurred near the Carlton Centre, a busy mall.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, told media that not much can be confirmed at this point.
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