A Nigerian businessman running a shop in South Africa has defied calls by local demonstrators to close his shop, saying closing would leave dozens of South African employees who depend on the firm for their livelihood without jobs.
In a conflict with people demanding the quick closure of foreign-owned establishments, the shop owner was seen arguing with them in a video shared by NTU Zuma TV today.
But the demonstrators told the man to leave, although he asked to wait for an official government order and to sell or hand over his business before leaving.
The business guy stated he has all the documentation needed, has been paying taxes for 13 years and has over 30 South Africans in his employment. The PUNCH writes
“When the Chinese were running this shop, they had one worker or two workers.
“But since I started this shop, I created an opportunity for about 20-something to 30-something South Africans that are working here,” he added in the video.
The clash comes amid heightened rallies by anti-immigrant organisations in South Africa, with some giving illegal foreigners an ultimatum to leave the country between June 13 and 30.
In the video, protesters declared, “We don’t want any foreigner to run any business here including you… You close it out today.”
They didn’t care about the store owner’s paperwork or his fears for his employees. “We don’t care,” they said.
The merchant, who said he was a law-abiding resident with all the permissions and tax records, said he would only close if the authorities told him to.
“I have run my business, pay tax for 13 years now… I am not a criminal. “If the government says I need to close my shop and go… I will close and go.”
But his staff, he said, is his biggest concern.
“I’ve got thirty-odd workers here, South Africans, who are going to be out of a job if you close this shop. I want to know that they’re getting decent care while I’m away…” “Get me a good South African to run this shop.”
“I am tired of all this harassment,” he said, but stressed he was not abandoning his employees.
Local workers have told him they cannot take it over because of the exorbitant cost of rent, he claimed.
South Africa has begun the repatriation of 586 Nigerians caught living in the nation, with the first batch of 258 returnees landing in Lagos last Thursday, while the rest are expected on Monday.
The country’s Home Affairs Minister said on Sunday it has repatriated 2 745 foreigners in the week after President Cyril Ramaphosa threatened harsher action against illegal immigration.
Kubayi has stated that event planners are systematically cancelling events scheduled for South African singers. The government in South Africa has began lamenting that some individuals’ xenophobic accusations have caused economic losses for enterprises held by South African people abroad.
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