WORKERS and residents yesterday stormed spazas and shops at China Mall in Durban, in what looked like a bid to chase away the owners.
Residents of Kenville, Red Hill and Avoca apparently chased away foreigners, specifically Chinese and Somali shop owners.
A woman died and two men were seriously injured after falling through a ceiling at the mall while running away from the violent mob.
Rescue Care Paramedics spokesman Garrith Jamieson said they were escorted to the scene by cops.
He said the 45-year-old woman fell through the ceiling.
“She sustained major injuries and was declared dead at the scene,” he said.
He said two men who were also running on the roof fell and sustained serious injuries.
“They were stabilised before being transported to a nearby hospital,” he said.
A resident from Kenville said he was told the group stormed the shops because they wanted take over foreign-owned businesses.
“They no longer want to work. They want to run the shops,” he said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said: “An inquest docket was opened at Greenwood Park Police Station.
“It is not yet known whether it’s part of the protest.”
