XENOPHOBIA: Nigerians in S’Africa may sue govt over $1.5bn losses

A number of Nigerians in South Africa affected by the recent xenophobic attacks say they may sue that country’s government.

The group under the aegis of Nigerian Diasporas, South African branch, said they would take the action if victims of the attack are not compensated for their losses, which has been put at about $1.5 billion.

Nigerian victims of the recent xenophobic attack in South Africa have calculated losses on their businesses at over $1.5 billion.

This does not include yet-to-be ascertained cash looted by the attackers.

The figure is contained in a report submitted to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President On Nigerians in Diaspora, sighted by Ripples Nigeria on Wednesday.

In what was described as the worst racial attack against Nigerians, more than 300 foreigners resident in that country, were surprisingly attacked by suspected hoodlums, parading themselves as the “Real South Africans.”

A 49-year-old Nigerian automobile dealer, Mr. Ndubisi Okoye, who said he had been compelled to abandon his business in South Africa following the attack, claimed that he lost more than $140 million in the attack.

Other victims said they were taken unawares by a group of attackers in a coordinated attack, lasting more than three days.

Coordinator of the group, Mr Yinka Debayo, said of the shops burnt by the attackers, 80 per cent belonged to the Nigerian business community in that country.

“The security operatives were watching helplessly as the attackers latched on us, and that is why we are calling on the Nigerian government to mount pressure on its counterpart in South Africa for the necessary compensation of the victims.”

He said though officials of the Nigerian mission had visited victims and their business premises, they were yet to follow up their promises by fighting for compensation.

The South African police have confirmed that more than 100 shops, possibly belonging to immigrants, were looted in Johannesburg, but could not confirm if the attacks had been deliberately targeted at foreigners.

Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of taking jobs from locals and getting involved in crime.

Responding to similar incidents in Pretoria at the weekend, Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said it would summon South Africa’s envoy to raise its concerns over “xenophobic attacks” on Nigerians, other Africans and Pakistanis.

Read Also: Nigerians escape death, lose property as South Africans launch fresh xenophobic attacks

South African police said they did not yet know the motive for the latest attacks, and no deaths had been reported, according to the spokesperson, Brig. Mathapelo Peters.

She said: “There are allegations that these shops belong to foreign nationals.

“It is alleged that the community members are saying that these shops were used for drug dealing but that is unconfirmed.

“We will only be able to start a formal investigation once the shop owners come forward”.

The Atteridgeville neighbourhood, where the looting reportedly became more pronounced was still littered with carcasses of burnt cars as at Tuesday.

South Africa, with a population of about 50 million, is home to an estimated five million immigrants.

As a result of similar attacks in April 2015, Nigeria recalled its top diplomat in South Africa to discuss anti-immigrant attacks which killed at least seven people and sent hundreds of foreigners fleeing to safety camps, as authorities sent in soldiers to quell unrest in Johannesburg and Durban.

Also in 2008, at least 67 people were killed in anti-immigrant violence, with thousands of people fleeing to refugee camps.

 

 

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