RESIDENTS PROTECT THEIR FOREIGN NEIGHBOURS

AS THE attacks on foreigners spread across Mzansi, this kasi will

be safe.

Residents of Palm Ridge extension 4 in Ekurhuleni have vowed to

protect foreigners living in their location.

Residents patrol the kasi streets at night. They also have an army

of supporters who are on standby should anything happen.

The patrollers said they didn’t mind sacrificing their sleep to keep

their streets safe.

Head patroller Prince Nkosi (49) said there are 10 shops owned by

foreigners in his kasi.

“We told them to close at 9pm to be safe and then we start to

patrol. We want to make sure that no one attacks them or their

shops.”

Prince heads 19 other patrollers who keep the community safe.

“Since the attacks against foreigners started, we have asked for

help from other community members so that there is extra man-

power to prevent possible attacks,” he said.

Prince said during the attacks on foreigners seven years ago, the

same patrollers prevented attacks from reaching their kasi.

“There were people from neighbouring townships who tried to bring

chaos here, but we just turned them away.”

He said tension started to build up last week after some South

Africans started pointing out RDP houses that belonged to known

foreigners.

“We held a meeting and advised those foreigners to leave the RDPs

because government gave locals these houses and title deeds and

as such, government would deal with those who did illegal things.”

Pastor James Mondlane told Daily Sun that foreign shop owners

often donated bread and drinks to poor people in the kasi.

The pastor said he was also helping to patrol the kasi streets at

night.