Despite assurances, South Africans attack Nigerians, loot shops in renewed xenophobic rage

Despite assurances, South Africans attack Nigerians, loot shops in renewed xenophobic rage

The Nigerian community in South Africa said on Monday that another  shop belonging to a member was looted in the latest xenophobic attack at Jeppestown, Johannesburg.

Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that the shop was looted on Sunday night.

“We have received information that there was an overnight attack on shops belonging to foreigners at Jeppestown, a business district in Johannesburg.

“A shop belonging to a Nigerian was affected.

“The goods in the shop were looted by the attackers. The Nigerian was not hurt during the attack.

“We also learnt that shops belonging to other foreigners were also looted,” he said.

Anyene stated that attempts made to loot another shop belonging to a Nigerian failed as the owner called the police.

He said the value of items lost in the affected shop had not been ascertained while the incident had been reported to the Nigerian Mission and the South African police.

“We have told Nigerians to adopt protective measures to save their businesses and homes.

“The union is in touch with the Nigerian mission and our chapters in the nine provinces of South Africa are also on alert.

“They have been directed to sensitise our people on the situation in the country and  to  be  cautious in all their endeavour,” he said.