ESHOWE, KwaZulu-Natal – The owner of an Eshowe farm, that was torched during widespread rioting, is not ready to talk about the ordeal. 

Calm had been restored to the community on Friday morning with police keeping a close eye on the area. 

On Thursday, angry residents went on the rampage, setting fire to two farms. 

WATCH: Complete destruction after farm, farm house set alight in KZN

The riot was reportedly sparked after Spamandla Xulu (29) was shot and killed, allegedly by a farm-watch security guard. It is understood that Xulu and another man had been fishing illegally at a farm dam and refused to leave when asked to do so.

This led to an altercation and the fatal shooting. The other man escaped unharmed.

ANA has learned from a reliable source that the one farm owner — a black African commercial farmer who also works in the medical industry in Durban — is “distraught” at what has happened.

Scores of neighbouring farms along the R66 had their sugarcane crops almost completely destroyed by the rampage.

UPDATE: Police station and houses torched in Krugersdorp protest

Another source told ANA that white farmers felt they were being accused of the incident because of their race.

One person has been arrested in connection with the protest.

Meanwhile, Xulu’s mother, says she is struggling to accept the loss of her son.

“Yesterday was a sad day. The family is still shocked. We were friends. We were so close. He’s loving and had respect. I’d like my son to be buried in peace. If authorities believe it’s the right thing to arrest him, it’s okay, but that won’t bring my son back,” said Ntombizodwa Xulu. 

– Additional reporting by eNCA

African News Agency