Sharpeville business owner shot dead

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Local business Kasie Corner owner and Bishop Patrick ‘Papi’ Mokhema was gunned down in Sharpeville on Wednesday as residents rallied for the return of their local economy.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, on Tuesday, the community of Sharpeville raided foreign-owned spaza-shops claiming they don’t want foreign nationals operating businesses in the area. 

She added; “The following day a local businessman and a friend were shot by unknown suspects. It is not known if the shooting is related to the fight between local and foreign spaza-shop owners.

“The public order policing together with crime prevention units has since been monitoring the tense but calm situation. During their patrols, they have arrested three foreign nationals who were found in possession of unlicensed firearms.”

Nevhuhulwi said those responsible for the fatal shooting of the business owner are yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters’ chairperson in Sedibeng, Isaac Khithika has condemned the senseless killing of Mokhema.

Business activist reclaim local economy

Kithika described Mokhema as a business activist who was at the forefront of reclaiming the local economy through spaza shops.

“We believe that the right to protest is enshrined in the constitution and must be protected. The community has the right to demonstrate, and this right should not be violated,” he remarked.

Kithika said as an organisation they stand with the people, and highlighted that they have also observed a disturbing rise in killing perpetrated against those advocating for the township economy in Sedibeng.

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He further called on local law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant, and demanded that perpetrators be brought to justice.

“South Africa is a sovereign nation with its own laws; it should never be for sale to criminal elements seeking to undermine it,” Khithika concluded.