Three business owners believed to be foreign nationals were shot inside a popular fast-food outlet in Johannesburg’s inner city on Monday, in what authorities say is the latest in a growing pattern of violent crime in the area.
The attack happened in Ward 59, a district already grappling with frequent shootings, according to local councillor Sthembiso Hlatshwayo, who warned that residents and business owners are increasingly living in fear.
He said the latest incident adds to a disturbing trend, with multiple shootings reported within hours on the same street in recent days.
“Even yesterday, someone was shot on this very same street… this raises serious concerns about safety,” Hlatshwayo said, adding that he would be working with police to address the situation urgently.
The councillor described the situation as worsening, noting that violent incidents have now become almost routine in parts of the inner city.
The shooting also comes amid heightened concerns over xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals have repeatedly reported harassment and attacks.
In a separate development earlier, a video circulated showing a Nigerian man and his child being confronted at a public facility by a group of people who blocked their entry. The group, mostly women, insisted he had no right to access the premises, despite the man presenting identification and insisting on his legal status. The confrontation escalated until the gate was locked against him and others present.
The incident has sparked further outrage from human rights advocates, including Nigerian activist Francis Nwapa, who accused South African authorities of failing to act decisively against rising xenophobic behaviour.
Nwapa, in a statement, said the repeated targeting of foreign nationals reflected a dangerous pattern of intolerance and called for stronger government action to protect migrants living in the country.
As investigations into the latest shooting continue, residents in Johannesburg’s inner city say urgent intervention is needed to restore safety and prevent further loss of life.
