South Africans attack Nigerians in Pretoria West, loot, burn their businesses (pics)

A fresh attack was allegedly launched by South Africans on Nigerians living in Pretoria West, South Africa in the early hours of Saturday, February 18.

The president of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on a telephone call that the attacks began at 4.00am.

Anyene said: “As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans.

“One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack.

Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment.”

According to him, the union received information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 and they proceeded to warn Nigerians living in the city.

Ayene said: “The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them.”

Ayene said the Nigeria government should speak with South Africa government to protect Nigerians against attacks by South Africans.

Recall that Nigerians in South Africa have been victims of xenophobic attacks since 2015, after South Africans accused Nigerians living among them of taking their businesses and jobs.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has reacted to alleged extra-judicial killing of a Nigerian in the South Africa by security agents.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the killing of a Nigerian in South Africa is “worrying and condemnable”.

In a statement made available to NAN, Dabiri-Erewa said the latest gruesome killing of a Nigerian, Tochukwu Nnadi by police in South Africa, was unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria.