South Africa woke up this morning to a sense of unease over worries of statewide protests by residents calling for the eviction of unauthorised foreign nationals, mainly Africans.
“Businesses and shops remained locked up this morning, according to investigations by our correspondent, reports The Nation.
The streets are likewise barren and the villagers are gathered at their chosen places to commence the nationwide protests.
President of Nigeria Citizens Association in South Africa, Rev Frank Onyekwelu said security services had been deployed to prevent looting of businesses and shops.
“It’s quiet around here this morning,” he added. There are bodies within.
“Shops are shut. Businesses are shuttered. Malls and supermarkets are closed.
“People are just sitting in their houses.
They march. And people are slowly coming to their appointed places.
But he said there was a considerable police presence.
But there’s a substantial police presence. The army was also sent in to help the cops. “The public police department’s personnel were also released to assist the Metro Police in containing the protesters so that they wouldn’t turn the protests into looting or violence.
He further reported that some foreigners had tried to confront the natives on Monday.
Police involvement was needed to prevent a collapse in law and order, he said.
“Yesterday (Monday) there was a serious standoff from some foreign nationals who, you know, got tired of being molested and intimidated, took a stand against them, confronting the protesters but police came in to disperse the gathering and managed to restore order.
NICASA is monitoring the situation, he said. However,
Speaking with our correspondent on the actions taken to safeguard the safety of Nigerians in South Africa during the protests, Onyekwelu said, “The association has been working closely with the Nigerian Consulate to address issues and provide guidelines.
“Okay, the 30th June deadline we have been working hand in hand with our consulates and missions. “We have put out a public notice asking our people to be careful in their movements and take care of themselves first, and then take care of their businesses or properties. “We have engaged some security personnel, they will also help to pass information across to us or from us to the government on any security situation or incident. “If any of our nationals has a situation, they will promptly alert us while we alert the government.
He added that Nigerians have been instructed to close their businesses on the appointed date.
“Most importantly, we are calling on the people to close their stores and companies if they can, especially on the 30th, remove their assets out of their establishments so that there would be no looting and stay indoors. They should have sufficient airtime and data on their phones, keep in touch with their family and loved ones and expect communications from our allowed channels so that we can always hear their cries. If there is something occurring out there, they can easily contact someone who will contact someone else. “We also tell them to be law-abiding and to not engage if there are protests on that day so far. If South Africans are marching about, they shouldn’t approach them, they shouldn’t engage them or, you know, impede their path.
“Those who will be driving or need to move around at all should stay away from the hotspot locations and the strategic corners that could place their lives in danger. And, if possible, try not to travel on that day, inside the province or outside the province.
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