Houses, cars burnt as South Africans launch fresh attack on Nigerians

At least 30 cars and an unspecified number of houses have been burnt in a new wave of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in Pretoria, South Africa.

Some of the victims who spoke to Qed.ng on Saturday said the onslaught started around 4am on Sunday, February 5.

A mechanic workshop on a land rented by Nigerians at 442 Christoffel Street, Pretoria West was petrol bombed by angry locals who accuse Nigerians of taking over their properties and businesses.

“What started two weeks ago with the burning of about 30 cars at in the mechanic workshop has spread to residential buildings,” Sunday Oluyomi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian community in the area, told this online newspaper.

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He added that the attackers are “South Africans from Atteridgeville Township next to Pretoria West”.

Another Nigerian, Lasisi Adebisi, said, “As I speak to you now, Nigerian investments and properties are being burnt in South Africa.

“This is happening right now in Pretoria and the police are supporting them (attackers).

“We are being restricted by the police so that there won’t be direct confrontation.

“They are attacking all Nigerians in the name of drug peddling. Civilians burning houses with police backing”

Sounding frantic, Adebisi, who said he was speaking from Court Street, Pretoria, said two of his houses were about to be burnt.

“We have tried to reach our High Commission, but they don’t do anything for us here

“Please help us reach our government and others Nigerians at home,” he cried.

When contacted on phone, Senior Special Assistance to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Federal Government is doing all it can to protect Nigerians abroad.

She, however, added that the situation in South Africa is regrettable because of the country’s history of xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans.

“The AU has to do something about the situation in South Africa. We have engaged the government on different occasions. This is no longer a matter that Nigeria can handle alone,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said.

Reiterating what she said when she visited the South African High Commission in Abuja last month, where she disclosed that 116 Nigerians were killed in South Africa in two years, the former House of Representatives member pointed out that authorities in that country should be made to do more to protect foreigners living and doing business there.

In the meantime, she advised Nigerians to beware of places and activities that expose them to danger.

Minister of External Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had not responded to enquiry by this medium as at the time of filing this report.