XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: Why Nigerians, others were killed in S’Africa –Dabiri-Erewa

The Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed what triggered xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals in South Africa.

According to her, the attack came as a result of South African politicians telling citizens that Nigerians and other foreigners are taking their women and jobs.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this during a television programme, adding that the unfortunate attacks were driven by hate speech and deception.

“There are people who commit crime in South Africa, such people are in any country. If South Africa is fighting crime; let it fight crime, not fight brothers and sisters, who are legitimately working in South Africa.
“Don’t forget that these attacks happened in the past. This is the seventh attack. The last one was in 2015… the king of Zulu made some remarks that were inciting that led to the last attack.

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“This particular one, let’s look at the circumstances. Fine, there are economic issues everywhere in the world. Politicians are campaigning and telling their people, ‘you know what, drive these criminals away, they are taking your jobs, and they are taking your women too,” she said.

She then advised South African companies operating in Nigeria to put in more efforts at educating South Africans on why they must stop xenophobia.

She said, “Imagine MTN sending text messages to everyone in South Africa, saying Xenophobia is bad, don’t do this and that.

“They should embark on some corporate social responsibility. Those multinationals should get up and do something. DStv should be doing various jingles on why xenophobia is bad, they should take over the awareness campaign”, she said.

 

 

 

 

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