Somali refugees fall victim to violent crime

Somali refugees have been the victims of crime and murder these past months in Cape Town. Many have had their spaza shops looted and even lost their lives.

Xenophobia was named as the root cause of the conflict, but it has emerged at a forum today that it is their business practices that are leaving locals angry.

The Somali refugees came to South Africa seeking refuge from war, but in the townships where they live, another war has broken out. Locals say Somali business skills are crippling their shops.

"The problem is they come with their very low, low prices. That’s high competition between us and them. They buy in bulk from the wholesalers, we just buy because we don't have enough money," said Dalikhaya Mxatule, of the Siyakhaya Business Trust.

Rasool promises action against perpetrators
Rogue attacks have been carried out on the Somalis. They say they are afraid and want more police protection.

Ebrahim Rasool, the Western Cape premier, says the culprits are on a police hit list, and will be caught.