Xenophobia II: Nigerians Fight Back As South African Attacks Re-surges

By Uche Mbah

The attacks on foreigners by South African citizens, which lulled within the week, reared its head again Sunday with renewed zeal against foreigners.

The capital city, Johannesburg, was a flash point of Violence, according to The South African, a South African tabloid. The paper claimed that ten people died with the last attacks. It was also reported that goods worth millions of Rand were destroyed during the earlier riots.

Letters were circulating on the internet warning of the impending attacks on Sunday. Government officials were not helping matters as they were reported to have been reeling out inciting comments.

Demands were on the Chief of Police Bheki Cele and the president, Cyril Ramaphosa to address the organized rioters within 24 hours or the country will go up in unprecedented violence.

But reports indicate that Nigerians are prepared to defend themselves this time. Videos going viral show Nigerians vowing to resist the current attacks, claiming the previous one took them unawares.

President Buhari is expected to go on state visit to south Africa by October, a decision roundly criticized by the opposition and critics as counter productive and a diplomatic blunder.

But reports indicate the rioters are attacking everyone they meet, not just foreigners.

According to reports, at least two people has been killed and many arrested in Johannesburg-and that appears to be the official figure.

Meanwhile, there has been reports that there was an explosion at the South African High Commission in Abuja-a report that the Minister of Information, Lai Mohamed denied. The police also denied it, calling it fake news.

“The Nigeria Police Force has provided adequate security in and around all South African Missions and related business interests,” the police said.

Nigeria has issued travel advisory on South Africa, while Air Peace, a private Airline, offered to airlift Nigerians willing to return home. but many are skeptical that Nigerians will not avail themselves of the opportunity, preferring to stay back and fight it out.