The potential for xenophobic attacks seems to have spread to the Johannesburg CBD.
Shops were closed before and owners say they fear for their lives. Callers to Redi Tlhabi's show reported that they were expecting locals to attempt to raid their stores. Chicco in Johannesburg told Redi Tlhabi that they are ready to fight back.
Some people wanted to come to the CBD to disrupt the business we are doing here but for now they’ve gone back because they saw we are ready for them, they’ve received their match
Currently the reports are that there are no police at scene and the mob retreated when they were outnumbered by foreign nationals who were warned beforehand.
Listen to the calls by Chicco, Siyabonga and Yusuf in Joburg CBD:
Meanwhile, people took to twitter to voice out frustration over these attacks:
JUST IN: Reports of businesses run by foreigners in Joburg CBD now being closed amid fears of #Xenophobia. A mob allegedly making threats
— Cathy Mohlahlana (@CathyMohlahlana) April 15, 2015
Between SAPS raids for counterfeit goods and #xenophobia fears, foreign owned shops have taken the day off pic.twitter.com/PA5g1w7iPa
— Yasin Ansari (@yasinansari) April 15, 2015