Somalia refugees under attack in Western Cape

Leonard Ramatlakane, the Western Cape Community safety minister, says at least eight cases involving the killing of Somalian refugees have been reported in the province this year.

Ramatlakane says it is suspected that robbery was the motive for these attacks. He says his department, in partnership with the national department of home affairs, will begin an awareness campaign to raise tolerance levels between the local community and refugees.

In the latest incident, police have arrested two people in Masiphumelele near Ocean View for allegedly vandalising property belonging to a Somalian refugee. Nine houses and business premises belonging to Somalis in the area were burnt last night, apparently in clashes between them and informal residents.