South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has
condemned acts of violence between citizens
and non-nationals, his office said on Friday.
Anti-immigrant violence has flared
sporadically in South Africa against a
background of near-record unemployment,
with foreigners being accused of taking jobs
from citizens and getting involved in crime.
Citizens in Pretoria are set to march against
foreigners on Friday and domestic media are
reporting vandalism and acts of violence in
the Atteridgeville area west of the capital.
At least 20 stores in Pretoria owned by
foreigners were looted on Tuesday, but police
could not confirm that the attacks had
deliberately targeted foreigners.
“Many citizens of other countries living in
South Africa are law abiding and contribute to
the economy of the country positively.
“It is wrong to brandish all non-nationals as
drug dealers or human traffickers.
“The threats and counter-threats on social
media must stop,” Zuma said in a statement.
NAN reports that the Federal Government on
Thursday urged the South African government
to put in place measures to end the incessant
xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that
country.
Minister of State Foreign Affairs Khadija
Abba-Ibrahim, gave the task in Abuja during a
second summon to the High Commissioner of
South Africa to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-
Mnguni, on the issue.
NAN recalls that the Ministry had on Monday,
summoned the South Africa High
Commissioner over the matter.
NAN also reports that Nigerian buildings,
properties and places of worship worth
millions of dollars were destroyed by South
Africans on Feb. 5 and 18.
“The Federal Government strongly urges the
South African government to take all
necessary measures to protect the lives and
foreigners living and working in South Africa.
“Furthermore, the federal government urges
the South African Government to bring
perpetrators of these deplorable acts of
violence to justice.
“The ministry continues to urge Nigerians in
South Africa to remain calm and law abiding,
and be vigilant at the same time.’’
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will
strenuously work towards the protection of
Nigerians everywhere, including in South
Africa,” she added.
However, the minister said that no Nigerian
lost their lives in the attacks contrary to
reports in some media.
According to her, the reports that mentioned
the killing of Nigerians in the xenophobic
attacks are unsubstantiated.
“The ministry has not received the report of
any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents
of attacks against foreigners.
“The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria is
in constant touch with the Nigerian Union in
South Africa, the Department of International
Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South
Africa, as well as the South African police.
“All these agencies have confirmed that no
Nigerian life was lost in the recent incident,”
she said.
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