Xenophobia: Nigerians Given 12 Hours To Vacate South African Province

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in Keimoes and Upington areas of northern cape province in South Africa have been given a 12-hour ultimatum to vacate the communities.

Adetola Olubajo, President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Olubajo said the ultimatum came from the indigenes of the area.

He traced the development to an “ugly incident” that took place between a police officer and a Nigerian on Wednesday.

The incident according to the statement involved a Nigerian from Abakaliki in Ebonyi state, who allegedly stabbed to death the police officer, Nico Visagie, during a disagreement.

Olubajo said the details of the disagreement were still not very clear as the “major witness” was also stabbed multiple times and was still in critical condition at the hospital.

“After the horrific incident, the community members of Keimoes and environs went on rampage burning and destroying properties belonging to foreign nationals, Nigerians in particular,” he said.

“These attacks spread to Upington and Nigerians and other foreign nationals were also expelled from Upington.

“Prompt Police intervention this morning brought about calm but the situation is still tensed. Some locals were arrested by the police for public disturbance and malicious damage to properties.

“They appeared in a magistrates’ court this morning for bail hearing.”

He added that the suspect who stabbed the police officer had been arrested and would appear in court on or before Monday.

“We commend the swift intervention ofthe members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the arrest ofthe suspect is a welcome development,” he said.

“We hope the police will continue to maintain law and order in the area.”

South Africa has been in the news for xenophobic and reprisals attacks.

Many Nigerians were forced to leave the country while a diplomatic face-off was prevented between Nigeria and South Africa.

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