By Horn Africa News
Reports from South Africa indicate that a Somali national was killed last night in the Philippi area, one of the townships under Cape Town in the Western Cape Province.
The incident occurred in the Philippi Valley neighborhood, where armed robbers, believed to be South African nationals, stormed a business premise owned by the victim and fatally shot him before fleeing the scene.
The deceased, identified as Abshir Ali Hussein, was reportedly running a small retail shop in the area. Witnesses say the assailants entered the store late in the evening, shot him at close range, and left without taking any merchandise.
Police units who arrived at the crime scene confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the murder, but no arrests have been made so far. Authorities say they are pursuing leads to identify and apprehend those behind the killing.
This latest incident adds to a growing number of attacks targeting Somali business owners in South African townships. Somali traders often face violence, looting, and robbery, which community leaders describe as both criminally motivated and fueled by xenophobia.
For decades, Somalia maintained close ties with South Africa, offering political, logistical, and financial support during the apartheid era. Many South African political figures once traveled using Somali passports. Today, however, Somali expatriates say they face daily violence and fear for their lives in the country they once supported.
