Union alleges fresh attack on Nigerians, others in South Africa

The Nigerian Union in South Africa has alleged renewal of xenophobic attack on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa.

Many foreigners living in South Africa had, about two months ago, witnessed tremendous xenophobic attacks from South Africans who killed many of their fellow Africans and injured others.

It was learnt that the Nigerian Union in South Africa has reported the new attacks on Nigerians and sother foreigners in Sternkopf, Namakwa Municipality, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. President of the Union, Ikechukwu Anyene, said in Pretoria, South Africa, that the chairman of the Northern Cape Province chapter of the Union reported the incident to its national secretariat.

“The National Secretariat of Nigeria Union has received report of xenophobic attacks from Kennedy Osagie, the Northern Cape Province chapter chairman of the union. The report indicated that South Africans attacked Nigerians.

“Two cars belonging to Nigerians have been reportedly burnt and they have been going from house to house looting and destroying their property,’’ he said.

Anyene, who said that there were 20 Nigerians living in the affected community, added that none had been reported dead in the incident. “Six Nigerians have taken refuge with their families in nearby SpringBok community and they do not know the whereabouts of the other Nigerians.’’ He said the Union has reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, confirmed the incident, saying the mission has commenced investigations. “The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa has received report of new xenophobic attacks in Northern Cape Province of South Africa.