REGAFRIK PROJECTS, Publisher of RegentAfrica Times Magazine, RegentAfrica Energy Report and RegentAfrica Online; a Nigerian media organisation with Head Office in Abuja, and branches in major cities across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa. Our vision is to report Nigeria, Africa with the view to propagate their interests in an objective, balance and investigative approach that will enhance the socio-economic well-being and rights of the people.
…The full story of how the latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa started
…FG to dispatch security agents to South Africa
…Zambia football cancels friendly with S/Africa
Share this
Edited by Shola Akingboye – September 4, 2019
What is ‘xenophobic violence’
Xenophobic violence refers to any act/acts of violence, perpetrated by local communities or groups against an individual or group of individuals, based on the perception that the victim/victims of this violence do not belong to the perpetrators’ community, society or nationality.
The attacks towards foreign nationals or perceived outsiders are often expressed in the forms of murder, assaults, intimidation and harassment.
Such attacks can include arson attacks on non-nationals and/or their property or the looting and robbery of non-nationals’ shops.
These xenophobic attacks occur across all nine provinces of South Africa, while the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape are mostly affected.
The xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa is the major topic of discourse on the lips of everyone due to the recent spate of violent and deadly attacks.
This episode of violence has prompted a flurry of high-level condemnations and criticisms from international bodies and government officials across various countries.
The violence echoes sporadic outbreaks of attacks mainly targeting migrants from other African countries in some of South Africa’s poorest areas.
This is how fresh xenophobic attacks in South Africa began and how shops were burnt and looted for fun
Looters take items from an alleged foreign-owned shop in Johannesburg suburb of Turffontein on Sept. 2, 2019.Photographer: Guillem Sartorio/AFP/Getty Images
The latest spate of attacks on migrants in South Africa began from the suburbs of Johannesburg on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
By Monday, September 2, South African men and women clutching cudgels and stones were chanting war songs and marching to the central business district of South Africa’s biggest city to burn shops and businesses owned by Nigerians, Somalians and other foreign nationals.
Before long, over 50 shops and business premises mainly owned by Nigerians and Somalians had been burnt to the ground.
Cars and properties were torched and widespread looting took place across the city.
Nigerian-owned car sales business burnt by South African mob [NAN]
“The means of livelihood of people were looted and destroyed by fire overnight which have left many Nigerians traumatized. Nigeria-owned businesses were seriously affected. A car sales business owned by a Nigerian were among the several businesses set ablaze overnight”, says Adetola Olubajo, President of the Nigeria Union of South Africa (NUSA).
The police steps in
According to a Bloomberg report, the looting of shops would soon spread to Alexandra, an impoverished community in northern Johannesburg.
702 Talk Radio also reported unrest in Marabastad, Pretoria.
On Tuesday, September 3, the police was making its presence felt in central Johannesburg. Some shops and schools had been closed at this point.
Major companies including Anglo American Plc, Absa Group Ltd. and AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. were left with no option but to close their offices in the city center or reduce staffing, according to Bloomberg.
“It is barbaric to attack people simply because they are foreigners. It is not acceptable,” Chanda Kasolo, permanent secretary in Zambia’s information ministry, declared on national television.“Our leaders are doing everything possible to communicate with the South African government to ask them to take better control of things.”
Businesses owned by Nigerians were looted and vandalised in South Africa [NAN]
South African Police Minister General Bheki Cele “condemned the violence and all its manifestations but has assured South Africans that these acts are nothing but criminality that must be stopped in its tracks”, a statement from the police ministry read.
The police in South Africa says it has arrested 110 people in connection to the outbreak of violence. The police say it is “condemning all acts of violence directed at the businesses and the looting of shops described as those of foreign nationals by criminal opportunists in areas that include Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Johannesburg Central.
“Several arrests have also been affected for serious crimes including public violence, malicious damage to property and theft. The arrests were affected in various areas that include:
20 in Rossettenville
35 in Malvern
10 in Thembisa
26 in Jeppe
9 in Germiston
“Police are also investigating a case of murder following the fatal shooting of a member of the public. He was allegedly shot by a group of people who had gathered in Hillbrow.
“At this stage police are still interviewing several people to establish the motive for the shooting. No one has been arrested for the murder. Several operations are still continuing in Thembisa and more people are expected to be arrested. Police are also appealing to any person affected by violence to contact police Emergency number 10111”.
Nigeria is upset
The Nigerian government has been left fuming as Osinbajo, Ramaphosa condemn attacks
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also took to social media to condemn the cruel attacks in South Africa.
According to Osinbajo, the attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa were said and very unfortunate, recalling the country’s huge investment to rescue that nation during its years of apartheid.
He said: “The recent attacks in South Africa are condemnable. It is sad and very unfortunate that the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians living in South Africa, are once again being destroyed with such wantonness carelessness and recklessness.
Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the pulling down of apartheid.
“These acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders including the present President fought for, and for which many gave their lives.
“Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) has already spoken about this. We will take this up with the authorities in South Africa to ensure that this sort of thing does not repeat itself. It is absolutely unacceptable.
“We will take all actions necessary for the protection of our citizens everywhere in the world. We are currently in consultation with the South African government on the urgent need to put in place measures to end these acts of violence against our people.”
Condemning the attacks on his official Twitter handle, Ramaphosa said he was calling for a meeting with his security ministers to ensure they closely monitored “these acts of wanton violence.
He said: “We express our deep pain, support, solidarity and love to the families, friends and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives in the last month (Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegels, Nolunde Vunsindo, Meghan Cremer, Jesse Hess to mention but a few).
“I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of provinces in the strongest terms. I am convening the Ministers in the security cluster today to make sure we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them.
“The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries”
Nigeria has summoned the South African Ambassador for explanations.
Some South African politicians do not really like what’s going on
South African politicians have also been condemning the violence. However, politicians from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) have made anti-immigrant comments in the past.
For instance, Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba, has attracted criticism from human rights groups for his frequent attacks on undocumented migrants.
President Muhammadu Buhari and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa recently spoke about xenophobic attacks in Japan [Twitter/@GovNigeeria]
Mashaba is a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosahas denounced the attack in the strongest terms possible.
Like most of the African continent, inequality is rife in South Africa. Xenophobic South Africans often see migrants as competition for scarce jobs, resources and government services.
Bad history of xenophobic attack in South Africa
South Africa has played host to some of the worst xenophobic attacks in recent memory. In 2008, about 60 people were killed and over 50,000 forced from their homes in the suburbs of the former apartheid colony.
In 2015, seven people died in xenophobic related violence.
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa have become a recurring decimal (AFP)
At least 127 Nigerians have died from xenophobic attacks in South Africa in the last three years.
At least 13 of those were documented to have been killed by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
It should be recalled that in 2008 and 2015, the world was horrified by the savage scenes of xenophobic violence towards African immigrants in South Africa despite the unprecedented support provided by African countries during South Africa’s struggle to end ‘apartheid’.
Prior to 1994, immigrants from different countries faced discrimination and even violence in South Africa.
After majority rule in 1994, contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia increased. Between 2000 and March 2008, at least 67 people died as a result of the incessant xenophobic attacks.
Reason for ‘xenophobic violence’
One of the many reasons advanced by some South Africans for their anger towards black Africans since the xenophobic violence of 2008 and 2015 is that ‘foreigners are taking jobs from indigenes in the country’.
A Pew Research poll conducted in 2018 showed that 62% of South Africans viewed immigrants as a burden on society by taking jobs and social benefits and that 61% of South Africans thought that immigrants were more responsible for crime than other groups.
South Africa’s Legal Obligation to Protect Foreign Nationals
South Africa has ratified numerous international instruments that place an onus on the country to ensure that it provides protection against all forms of discrimination, including xenophobia and xenophobic violence.
In accordance with this legislation, refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa are legally entitled to the same rights as South African citizens, except for the right to vote.
However, with the ongoing situation, the South African Government must send out a ‘strong message’ to its citizens that ‘hostility towards non-nationals should not acceptable under any circumstances’.
Nigerian Attacks South Africa Businesses in Nigeria
South African businesses in Nigeria on Tuesday enduredthe ongoing Xenophobic attacks of Nigerians in South African.
Angry youths in their hundreds in major cities such as Lagos, Uyo and Ibadan stormed Shoprite and MTN offices disrupting their activities and destroying facilities.
In Uyo, an MTN office had its glass doors and windows shattered, while attempts by protesters to burn down one of their offices in Lagos was foiled by security operatives.
Footage of South Africans killing blacks in most gruesome manners and burning their businesses had surfaced online provoking other Africans across the world.
The attack on South African businesses in the country followed tales by Nigerians in that country whose legitimate businesses were razed and their homes vandalised by the savages claiming to be after blacks committing crimes in their country.
The worrisome video of a young man set ablaze, being hit with planks and sniffed by a dog in the full glare of Police officers who could not hide their pleasure and support of the cruelty, and the justification of the barbaric acts by Deputy Police Chief Bongani Mkongi on grounds that foreigners have dominated the country further fuelled the angst of Nigerians who vowed to vent their anger on South African businesses.
In no time, groups converged at different locations and moved to MTN, Shoprite and other business interests of South Africa in Nigeria.
Businesses at Shoprite outlets in Osapa London, Lekki, Sangotedo in Ajah, Alausa, Ikeja were said to have been grounded as protesters specifically ordered all customers inside the outlets to vacate.
The Lekki agitation which commenced around 3:30pm was said to have turned violent after stray bullet from the police killed a young observer while trying to disperse the crowd.
The police were said to have shot sporadically following attempts by the mob to set Shoprite ablaze
According to sources, the protests started when a group of angry women, said to have relatives who fell victims to the attacks in South Africa entered the Lekki Shoprite and started calling groceries, toiletries.
In no time, youths converged and ordered everyone out of the outlet gathering tyres to raze the place.
According to a resident Semiu Ibrahim, over 17 police vehicles were seen at the place as the security agents shot sporadically and released teargas canisters.
He said the young man killed was an observer, adding that the killing occurred around 5pm.
“Those protesting wanted to burn down the place and the police started shooting. They threw teargas as well. The whole thing started around 3:30pm. They came and asked people in the mall to leave. They wanted to burn the place.
“The police pleaded with them not to do it but they were not listening and the police started shooting. Bullet hit and killed a young man who was observing what was happening.
“There were about 20 police vehicles there. The protesters were more than 100,” he said.
But the police denied knowledge of death at the Lekki mall, insisting that the youths were riotous.
Spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said they had to send reinforcement to the place because the mob was out to burn the facility which “doesn’t even belong to South Africans in the first place.”
He said: “We are still battling with this issue. I do not know for now if anyone was killed. But I can tell that those youths were not protesters. They were out to burn down the shopping mall and cause problem.
“The police had to quickly move in to prevent that. They are riotous and we had to send in reinforcement. We are still here.”
FG to dispatch security agents to South Africa
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama says the Federal Government is looking into possibility of sending some security agents to South Africa to safeguard lives and property of Nigerians. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria
Onyeama made this known when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
He explained that the planned deployment of the security agents was part of security proposal meant to check the unabated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
According to the minister, the Nigerian security agents, if deployed, are expected to work with their South African counterparts.
The minister disclosed that already the Nigerian government had registered its strong protest to the government of South Africa over the attacks.
“We have registered our strong protest to the government of South Africa but most importantly, we have put forward to the South African government what we think will make a big difference
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa
“One with regard to compensation with those who have suffered loss and most importantly, a security proposal that we believe will safeguard the security of Nigerians in the future.
“We are hoping to see the possibility of sending some security agents deploying them initially in the Nigerian High commission to work closely with the South African police force.
“We believe that would be a very important process to address and pre-empt this kind of attacks and possibly for them to also be embedded within the police force of South Africa.
“So you will have some certain number of Nigeria security people trying to work with the South African police force,’’ he said.
Onyeama assured that the Federal Government would not engage in revenge mission, saying “we do not believe that two wrongs make right.
“I think in terms of revenge on those kind of attack is not what we are looking forward to.
“The South African government has assured us that they are doing everything possible to address the situation, that they are equally exasperated by the whole event.
“We believe that with that good will we may be able to work together to put in place these mechanisms that would make a difference.’’
Buhari had on Sept. 3 dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa his deep concerns over the unabated attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since Aug. 29.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.
NAN further reports that over 50 shops/businesses were destroyed, looted and burnt over the night in Malvern area of Johanesburg.
Zambia Football Cancels Friendly with S/Africa
Meanwhile, the Zambian Football association has called off its friendly match against South Africa due to xenophobic attacks.
Chipolopolo and Bafana Bafana were scheduled to square off on Saturday in Zambia.
Chipolopolo of Zambia
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the Football Association of Zambia wrote: “The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) regrets to inform members of the public that the international friendly match between Zambia and South Africa that was scheduled for National Heroes Stadium on Saturday, 7 September 2019 has been called off in view of the prevailing security concerns in South Africa.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has relayed the message to the South African Football Association (SAFA) about the decision.
The South African Football Association is now looking for a replacement for Saturday’s match.
Xenophobic violence refers to any act/acts of violence, perpetrated by local communities or groups against an individual or group of individuals, based on the perception that the victim/victims of this violence do not belong to the perpetrators’ community, society or nationality.
![Nigerian-owned car sales business burnt by South African mob [NAN]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/jddk9kpTURBXy83N2NiYzk2ZjExMDgyNjAzOThhZjhiY2U4NGE0YzA2OS5qcGeSlQLNAxQAwsOVAgDNAvjCw4GhMAE)
![Businesses owned by Nigerians were looted and vandalised in South Africa [NAN]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/xguk9kpTURBXy9mZTRlNDM1ODc2OTY0OTQzNzAyZTBkNzY2NjExOWUyNS5qcGeSlQLNAxQAwsOVAgDNAvjCw4GhMAE)
