By Graeme Hosken
Staff Reporter

Fears of xenophobic violence are on the rise after Somali businesses outside Pretoria were attacked within hours of the mass eviction of hundreds of land invaders.

The fears come after Atteridgeville residents attacked two Somali spaza shops on Monday night.

The attacks occurred after security workers, contracted by the Tshwane Metro Council, tore down 550 shacks at Itireleng settlement, next to Laudium, on Monday.

The shacks were demolished after the landowners, Pretoria Portland Cement, obtained a court order in December to have the land invaders evicted.

The Gauteng Civic Association (GACA), which represents neighbouring Atteridgeville residents, yesterday said Itireleng residents were angry with mayor Gwen Ramokgopa, who they believed had broken her promises to give them land.

GACA secretary-general Themba Ncalo said this anger was now being vented on Somalis, who the residents believe had done nothing to become part of the community.

"Zimbabweans and other foreigners attend our meetings, are part of our society. The Somalis have done nothing to integrate themselves and the residents see them as only being here to make money," he said.

Somali Association of South Africa chairman Abdul Hassam disputed the claims.

"We do numerous things for the community to show our gratitude and are heavily involved in helping the people. The Somali business community is the only 'foreign community', which contributes food and money to the local community," he said.

Hassam said a Somali shop was looted and another stoned.

"We were warned that we were going to be attacked by Itireleng residents the moment they were evicted from their homes," he said, adding that they were hoping to meet community leaders and police to resolve the situation.

Ncalo said they met Somali business owners to warn them of local residents' anger towards them, which he said was caused by the mayor's empty promises of land.

"If she had not broken her promises, none of this would have happened. Last year the mayor promised Itireleng residents land, but PPC did not agree to give away their land," he said.

Ramokgopa yesterday failed to respond to messages asking her to comment on Ncalo's allegations.

Earlier she condemned the intimidation of foreigners and called on community leaders and police to ensure law and order was maintained.

"I will not allow society to be held to ransom by criminals. The police and community must send a clear message that criminal actions will not be tolerated," she said.

She said Itireleng residents could be assured that the council would communicate with them.

"Initial geotechnical reports, which showed the land was not suitable for human settlement, were rejected by the community. We are now awaiting the outcome of another report which we will again present to the community," she said.

o This article was originally published on page 2 of Pretoria News on January 13, 2010