President Muhammadu Buhari
The Federal Government has dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa the President’s deep concerns over reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since Aug. 29.
Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, who confirmed this development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said the Envoy would also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.
“The Special Envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019,’’ he added.
South Africans commenced fresh attacks, looting and burning of businesses and properties belonging to Nigerians and other nationals and in the process killed three people.
The President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Mr Adetola Olubajo, said on Monday that the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob.
“The mob also looted several shops that were around the vicinity suspected to be owned by foreign nationals. But the Police later dispersed the mob and made some arrest”.
“Late in the evening of Sunday, Sept. 1, a group of violent locals suspected to be Zulu hostel dwellers besieged Jules Street in Malvern, Johannesburg looted and burned shops and businesses with Nigerians being the most victims.
According to witnesses living on Jules Street, the Zulu hostel dwellers were very organised and well-coordinated in looting and burning of any shops/businesses suspected to be owned by foreign nationals.
Over 50 shops/businesses were destroyed, looted and burnt over the night in Malvern area of Johanesburg.
The minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had earlier promised that the federal government will push for accountability and compensation for Nigerians that suffered losses in South Africa.
He disclosed this in Abuja during a press briefing with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe on Tuesday over the continued xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Onyeama added that while the Nigerian government believes that criminality knows no bound, it condemns the frequent attacks on Nigerians in diaspora, including South Africa, and will do everything to protect her citizenry.
