Twenty-seven people, including six Somalis, were arrested during riots in Port Elizabeth’s Motherwell township on Tuesday, police said.
Captain Ernest Sigobe said police fired stun grenades at an unruly crowd that was throwing stones at Somali-owned shops on Tuesday as the owners tried to remove stock from a shop.
This followed an incident on Monday night, when about six armed men entered a Somali shop in Shukushukuma and demanded cash.
”The Somalis allegedly opened fire at the men, and a 15-year-old boy, who was not involved in the robbery, was shot and wounded.”
The wounded teenager was in a serious condition in Livingston hospital.
Local residents retaliated and attacked Somali-owned shops in the area. More than 30 Somali shops had been looted and vandalised since Monday night, Sigobe said.
On Tuesday, four residents were arrested for public violence and 17 for possession of stolen goods. The six Somalis were arrested for attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms.
Police were monitoring the township.
The arrested were being held at the Motherwell police station and would appear in court soon, Sigobe said. — Sapa