Sunday October 9, 2022
JOHANNESBURG - The United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) said it’s concerned by the gruesome killing of two Somali
nationals in Klein Bulhoek near Grahamstown this week.
The bodies were discovered by a resident inside a tuckshop
container.
Eastern Cape police have since opened a case of murder and
arson.
It is alleged that two deceased Somali nationals were tied
together inside their shop and then doused with petrol on Tuesday.
Their shop was then set alight.
Laura Padoan is the spokesperson for the UNHCR in South
Africa.
“The confirmed immigration status of the Somali men was that
they were refugees. So, they are of concern to UNHCR. We are alarmed that
refugees and asylum seekers have been targeted, especially in recent months,
through violent attacks caused by anti-foreigner sentiments.”
She says they will be following the police’s investigations
closely calling for swift arrests to be made.