somali Shop owner held in ‘assault‘drama

TWO Somali shopkeepers were arrested after they allegedly severely beat up two men trying to break into their Uitenhage premises early yesterday.

Port Elizabeth Somali refugee representative Zolile Kalani said the shop owner was alerted by loud banging as two men tried to break down the door.

“The owner and his brother managed to corner the two when they tried to attack them,” said Kalani, adding they had overpowered the men and tied them up.

“They phoned me and I rushed to the scene,” said Kalani. The police were at the shop when he arrived and took the two bound men away.

The shop owner and his brother were arrested when they went to the police station later in the morning.

Police spokesman Superintendent Priscilla Naidu said a case of malicious damage to property and trespassing had been opened by the shopkeepers.

Due to the severity of the injuries to the alleged trespassers, a case was opened against the shop owner, who had also allegedly pointed a gun at the pair while trying to restrain them.

She said one of the men was beaten so badly he could barely walk.