10 persons were killed, two of them foreign nationals in the recent outbreak of xenophobic riots and attacks in South Africa.
This was revealed by South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphoasa in a televised address in Johannesburg.
The latest wave of crisis in South Africa has led to near reprisal attacks in Nigeria with youths threatening to attack South Africa owned businesses in Nigeria such as MTN, Shoprite and DSTV.
The Nigerian Government withdrew its delegation to the World Economic Forum, WEF holding in South Africa and is recalling its Ambassador to that country as part of measures to demonstrate its displeasure on the recent attacks said to be targeted mainly at Nigerians.
“Over the past few days, our country has been deeply traumatized and troubled by acts of violence and criminality directed against foreign nationals and our own citizens.
“People have lost their lives, families have been traumatized … We know that at least 10 people have been killed in the violence. Two of whom were foreign nationals.” Mr. Ramaphosa said
High unemployment and widespread poverty have been cited as possible triggers for the recent disturbances and attacks on immigrants, but some officials say the riots might be the work of criminal syndicates.
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