There are several indications that evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa might begin on Wednesday according to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa after another round of protest was held on Sunday with armed Protesters chanting various songs on the Streets of Johannesburg according to an online report saying foreigners must leave.
Reports from Sowetan Live, a South African based Newspaper revealed that the protesters, who carried weapons such as Knobkerries, were addressed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a notable politician and Zulu tribe leader.
Buthelezi condemned Xenophobia attack on foreigners particularly Nigeria whose impact at achieving independence particularly former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s whose role cannot be over emphasized. He asked the protesting crowd if the xenophobic attack is best way to pay back the” huge risks African countries like Lesotho, Swaziland, Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania took on our behalf?’
The action is coming barely a week after attacks on foreigner’s triggered reactions across the continent leading the closure of South Africa Embassy in Nigeria following reprisal attack.
A host of African Countries including Nigeria, Rwanda and Malawi had registered their displeasure by pulling out of the world economic from which was held in South Africa while Zambia cancelled an International friendly match with South Africa over the violence against foreigners.
As a payback, many business owned by South Africans in Nigeria were targeted and has led to partial closure to avoid further looting while the South Africa High Commission in Nigeria suspended its operation.
The Federal Government in Nigeria had sent a delegation to meet with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa to register the government displeasure with an indication that a later meeting between President Mohammed Buhari of Nigeria and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa will hold next month to reinforce the strong bonds between the two countries.
Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama, said this in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Adama, Air peace had offered to airlift willing Nigeria who wish to return home following attacks on Nigerians and their Business by South Africans adding that the first batch of Nigerians willing to return home will be repatriated on Wednesday.
“We have more than enough for that aircraft. Over 400 Nigerians have already registered while more as still coming”, Adamu emphasized.
