The Somali Community Board of South Africa on Tuesday said 17 immigrants have been killed in the Western Cape this year.
There are between 25,000 and 30,000 Somalis currently living in the Cape.
The board believes acts of xenophobia are directed against Somalis more because they are seen as threats to local business in townships.
It was easy to tell which shops in Samora Machel were Somali-owned when Eyewitness News visited the area on Tuesday - they each had gates at the front entrances.
Somali community leader Abdhihakim Mohamed explained that his compatriots do not feel safe trading in townships.
“People that are striving to sustain themselves and all that in a legal way. The others try to victimise our community members.”
One Somali national said he was threatened by locals on a regular basis.
“We are being targeted. I am always fearful for my business being attacked,” he said, with the aid of a translator.
A South African shopkeeper nearby ranted at length about his competition and said local businesses were being destroyed.
Immigrants do not just fear being kicked out of townships either. The board said some are even violently murdered.
(Edited by Danya Philander)
Source: EyewitnessNews.co.za
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