Somali citizens killed in South Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Two Somali citizens were killed in South Africa, with cases of Xenophobic attacks likely to through the country into another diplomatic row with African countries, whose nationals have been on the receiving end for the last seven or so years due to economic hardships.

According to reports, the two were killed in Rustenburg which is located about 150 kilometers West of Pretoria, the commercial capital of the country. Those killed were identified as Abdirahin Hassan Ali and his maternal uncle, Ibrahim Warsame Ibrahim, who were working in the area.

Following the killings, South African police responded to the scene but have not made any arrests, authorities said. Somali citizens and Nigerians are the worst hit by the spate of Xenophobic attacks in the Republic of South Africa, which is home to many people.

The incident, analysts say, reflects a broader trend of recurring attacks on Somali workers in South Africa, a situation that continues without substantial intervention. The government of South Africa has been on the receiving end over endless xenophobic attacks.

In the final months of each year, South Africa experiences a significant increase in targeted murders and kidnappings of businesspeople. Criminal researchers attribute this spike to the Christmas holiday season, which they believe increases pressure on gang members, authorities said.

Last month, two Somali businessmen, identified as Mohamed Dek Mohayaddin and Yusuf Mohamed Taakow, were killed in a xenophobic attack in Cape Town, South Africa. Two months before that, in September, Somali traders Abdulkadir Moalim Maareye and Hassan Hamoud Jaras were attacked in a rural village in the Eastern Cape region.

Locals usually blame nonlocals for the scarcity of jobs in their country, leading to the unwarranted killing of innocent civilians in South Africa. Although many people have fallen victim to such attacks, the government has yet to fully take responsibility for punishing perpetrators.

Many Somalia nationals have left their country in search of greener pastures and some have ended up establishing business empires besides becoming prominent politicians in host nations. There are significant numbers of Somalia in South Africa, the US, Canada and Australia.

GAROWE ONLINE