Xenophobic attacks: South Africa high commission shuts down for fear of retaliation

For fear of retaliation over sustained xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreigners, the South African high commission has shut down its Lagos and Abuja offices.

According to the Nation, the directive was given by the acting high commissioner, Amb Bobby Moroe, who said he directed the mission to suspend all consular activities until the situation improved.

According to Monroes, the reported attacks on South Africans in some parts of the country informed the decision to close down the diplomatic mission.

He said: “I directed that the mission should be closed until the situation improves. We heard that South Africans were being pulled out of vehicles and attacked. We feel unsafe and that is why I directed that the mission should close down until further notice.”

NewsTrack learned of angry mobs who took to some of the suspected South African establishments to vent their anger over what they described as wickedness and unfair treatment to Nigerians.

Speaking with NewsTrack, Comrade Chimezie Odoemenam regretted how South Africans have continued to kill Nigerians, especially those who have distinguished themselves in their businesses. “This xenophobic attacks did not start today. I do not blame those whose loved ones are victims going to the street to protest. The principle of action and reaction must be applied as an act of rational necessity for citizenship diplomacy.”

On his wall, Prince Destiny Ugochukwu decried the ill conceived actions of South Africans against Nigerians, saying that they seem to have forgotten the role of Nigerians to bring freedom to that country.

It will be recalled that that President Muhamadu Buhari, on Wednesday, September 4, recalled Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks on Africans living in that country.

A presidential source said: “Nigeria recalls ambassador to South Africa, pulls out of World Economic Summit, demands full compensation.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama has insisted that something must be done to ensure that such attacks does not rear its ugly head again. he however pleaded with Nigerians to shun any retaliatory actions, saying that some of the suspected South African business outfits are joint ventures with Nigerians having huge investments in them.

For the timely response of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladodo, who deployed his men to secure Shoprite, angry mob would have succeeded in looting and torching the complex.