32nd Somali slain in 'horrendous killing'

[DONKEYMAN]

Caryn Dolley

Another Somali national has been shot dead in the Western Cape, bringing the total number of murders of Somalis in the region's informal settlements in just over two months to 32.

In the latest incident, shopkeeper Abdi Muhamad, 21, was murdered on Saturday while he was preparing to open his shop in Palm Street, Delft South.

Police spokesperson Billy Jones said it was alleged that five men approached Muhamad's house. Three waited outside and two went inside. A single shot was fired.

Muhamad's friend, Mohamed Osman, said he had heard about the murder from a witness, who asked not to be named.

"They ran up to (Muhamad) and shot him. He was alone in the shop and the group ran away after wounding him," Osman said.

Muhamad was shot once in the neck and died at the scene.

Jones said it did not appear as if anything was stolen.

The police were searching for the killers and trying to establish a motive for the shooting.

A case of murder was opened and Jones said they were investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Osman said the death of Muhamad came as a shock.

"We don't know why this has happened. He was a good man who was not involved in any bad activities. This is just so sad.

"These violent activities are very scary for Somalis living here. We constantly fear what is going to happen to us. We don't feel safe anymore," Osman said.

Mohamed Hassen, a representative of the Somali Association of South Africa, described Muhamad's killing as "absolutely horrendous".

"This was a young man, working hard to earn a living, and he was killed for reasons no one knows or understands.

"So many Somalis been buried over the past few months," Hassen added.

Since July, 32 Somalis have been killed in Western Cape informal settlements - and Hassen said many more had been injured in violent attacks.

"The problem is that people are very reluctant to talk to the police, because they fear for their safety. Even though the police are notified of these incidents, community members don't want to talk to them when they arrive because they are scared.

"So in the end, those who commit these crimes get away with it because no one is willing to give information that can lead to arrests," he said.

Makhaya Mani, spokesperson for Western Cape Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane, said a police investigation into the attacks had started a month ago. "Police are investigating who is behind these attacks and killings - whether they are locals or fellow Somalis.

"Arrests will be made as soon as those suspected of these acts are tracked down. We are also trying to find a motive for these acts," Mani said.

[Qaarxiye]

that is sad. somalis are killed so the bantus can use their body parts for traditional healing rituals.