Nigerian businesses are among those looted and destroyed in South Africa ongoing protests as the Nelson Mandela country boils.
Already, five businesses belonging to Nigerians have been destroyed in a violence that started at the weekend.
Meanwhile , the South African police have announced the arrest of over 200 suspects.
According to a statement issued by Mr. Adetola Olubajo, President Nigerian Union South Africa and made available to NewsSpecng, both local and foreign businesses were affected in the attack carried out by people protesting the incarceration of former President of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma.
Olubajo said, “We identified five businesses belonging to Nigerians looted and destroyed yesterday, Sunday 11 July 2021 by the angry mob. It includes two car sales business outlet in Johannesburg.
“The looting and destruction of properties he said “continued unabated till today.”
He therefore called on Nigerians in South Africa to be cautious of their environment.
Over 18 trucks were said to have been set ablaze, businesses looted and properties damaged.
“The leadership of Nigerian Community in South Africa in a statement made available to The Nation urged Nigerians in South Africa most especially in various cities in Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng Province to be vigilant and adopt safety and security measures.
“The union is highly disturbed seeing the extent of looting, destruction and violence Perpetrated by the angry protesters during our fact finding trip to Johannesburg this morning,” the statement said.
The violent protests he said has since spread to some cities in Gauteng most especially Jeppetown, Jules Street, Hillbrow, Alexander, Springfield Park, Vosloorus areas of Johannesburg.
These violent looting and attacks are spreading rapidly to other areas of Gauteng and KZN Province.
The South African police confirmed the arrest of over 200 offenders, several injured people including a police officer who was shot in Johannesburg yesterday and the death of six people. We are yet to get the identities of those arrested or deceased.
Confirming the incident, Prince Benjamin Okoli, President Nigerins Citizens in South Africa, said Nigerian buisnesses affected are about twenty including mechanic workshops and car mart. He said Nigerians have suffered collateral damage in the process.
He also said that most of the people affected in this latest incident were victims of 2019 xenophobia who were trying to start life afresh.
He posited that attempts have been made to reach the Nigerian authorities in South Africa to see how they could be of support to Nigerian community.
