News / National
Xenophobia brewing in KwaZulu-Natal as foreigners given May 20 deadline
17 May 2024 at 14:56hrs | Views
The town of Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal is on edge following a directive from an anonymous business forum demanding all foreign spaza shop owners cease trading by Sunday, May 19.
The ominous memo, signed by an individual identifying only as "Mr. Zulu," has been widely circulated. It commands foreign nationals to vacate townships and rural areas, relocate their businesses to the city, and compete with established enterprises there.
This directive mirrors a recent campaign in Nquthu, where foreign shop owners were similarly expelled from the town.
Claiming to represent all small business owners in Ulundi, the memo further orders local landlords to cease renting properties to foreign nationals. It explicitly states that by Monday, May 20, no foreigners should be conducting business in the historic Zulu town.
"We have already approached the municipality to ensure they stop operating by Monday," the memo declares. "This letter targets all foreign nationals trading on foot and those with stalls at [Ulundi] Plaza."
The Ulundi local municipality has acknowledged the forum responsible for the ultimatum and is actively engaging with it to comprehend its concerns.
Tensions are high as the deadline approaches, and the situation is being closely monitored to prevent potential violence and ensure the safety of all residents and business owners in the area.
The ominous memo, signed by an individual identifying only as "Mr. Zulu," has been widely circulated. It commands foreign nationals to vacate townships and rural areas, relocate their businesses to the city, and compete with established enterprises there.
This directive mirrors a recent campaign in Nquthu, where foreign shop owners were similarly expelled from the town.
Claiming to represent all small business owners in Ulundi, the memo further orders local landlords to cease renting properties to foreign nationals. It explicitly states that by Monday, May 20, no foreigners should be conducting business in the historic Zulu town.
"We have already approached the municipality to ensure they stop operating by Monday," the memo declares. "This letter targets all foreign nationals trading on foot and those with stalls at [Ulundi] Plaza."
The Ulundi local municipality has acknowledged the forum responsible for the ultimatum and is actively engaging with it to comprehend its concerns.
Tensions are high as the deadline approaches, and the situation is being closely monitored to prevent potential violence and ensure the safety of all residents and business owners in the area.
Source - Byo24News
