Tensions have flared in Soweto after a 21-year-old man was shot at a spaza shop, prompting a crackdown by Operation Dudula and the Patriotic Alliance (PA). This week, these groups targeted and shut down several foreign-owned spaza shops in White City, escalating fears of xenophobic violence and looting in Gauteng’s largest township.
The shooting, which involved Lusanda Ngcobo being hit twice in the stomach during a heated dispute with a shop owner, has triggered widespread anxiety about a potential wave of violence similar to previous xenophobic incidents.
Operation Dudula, known for its anti-immigrant agenda, plans to extend its campaign to other neighborhoods, including Mofolo and surrounding areas, arguing that foreign-owned businesses harm local economic interests.
In the wake of the shooting, police have arrested a suspect and launched an attempted murder investigation. Meanwhile, the South African Spaza and Tuckshop Association continues to press the government to address what it sees as “unfair competition” from foreign-owned shops, highlighting the need for more balanced regulations to support local businesses.
