New wave of xenophobic violence hits South Africa; foreigners’ businesses attacked

Xenophobic violence resumed on Wednesday in South Africa as businesses owned by foreigners were attacked in Pretoria’s Central Business District (CBD).

This was disclosed by the Nigeria Union, the umbrella body of Nigerians living in the Southern Africa country.

The union advised Nigerians living in South Africa to avoid Pretoria Central Business District until the Police Authority certify the area safe for foreign nationals.

“Violent looting and burning of foreign-owned businesses started in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28, at the Pretoria CBD.

“Foreign-owned shops and offices were targeted by angry taxi driver rioters”, the President of NUSA, Adetola Olubajo said in a statement.

“The violent revolt and looting have been fuelled by the death of a taxi driver allegedly by Tanzania nationals on Tuesday at Pretoria CBD.

“Not less than two buildings were burnt by the angry mob. This was done after the stocks in the various shops were looted by the rioters.

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“The situation was very volatile this morning but the joint efforts of South African Metro Police and South African Police Service members helped to curb the violent looting and attacks, although the situation is still tensed at the area as several roads were blocked for motorists”, he said.

According to Olubajo, only two Nigerian-owned businesses were identified to be affected— furniture/electronics shop on Sisulu Street and Gold Exchange Business on Lillan Ngoyi Street were looted and burnt.

“Information reaching us is that some foreign-owned businesses have been marked to be attacked over the night.

“The marked foreign-owned businesses include a Nigerian-owned private clinic, Nigerian-owned motor spares shop and a Nigerian Church among others.

“The Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria has been informed of the planned overnight attacks and looting of foreign nationals businesses.

“We strongly advised Nigerians to avoid Pretoria CBD until the South African Police Authority has certified the area safe for foreign nationals,’’ Olubajo said.

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