But some Nigerians in South Africa, who seemed to have ignored the June 30 deadline to leave the country, have taken up arms to defend themselves. Resident population
International outcry has been triggered by the call by anti-migrant groups for the expulsion of foreign nationals, Sunday Trust reported.
Groups such as March and March, which are at the forefront of mobilisations against illegal immigrants, allege that they take employment and services away from natives.
South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners and unemployment has soared, said Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March organization, addressing a throng in Durban 24 hours before the unofficial deadline for migrants to leave.
“We want mass deportation,” she added.
‘We want the government to remove the people who haven’t departed for the next 6 months.’
After the deadline, the groups stormed into homes and hotels where they claimed migrants were sheltering.
A video that went viral showed a guy and his family of youngsters being chased out of his residence.
“My wife is pregnant,” he repeated saying as the demonstrators led them down the street.
In the current outbreak of anti-immigrant violence, authorities said at least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian have been killed. LE (Law Enforcement)
Several African governments, notably Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have arranged voluntary repatriation planes and buses for their residents.
More than 25,000 people have been processed for departure in recent weeks, authorities said Monday.
But other Nigerians who pledged not to leave South Africa took up arms to defend themselves.
Police officers stand between two groups confronting each other across an improvised line demarcated with ropes in a video seen yesterday, in an apparent effort to forestall bloodshed.
On one side were Nigerians, on the other end were their belligerent hosts. Population.
The footage shows the announcer saying the Nigerians were “waiting for the South Africans to cross the queue” with security people between both sides.
The footage also appears to show some people on the Nigerian side armed with cutlasses and other small weapons. During the recording, there is a gun shot and the crowd chants, apparently defying the supposed deadline.
It was getting more and more chaotic when the commentator said, “Do you hear the gunshots?
Our reporter has checked the footage and says it is real.
At the time of posting this story, no official statement has been issued by Nigerian or South African authorities on the occurrence. Population
The Nigerian government has condemned attacks on its people in South Africa, and repeatedly called on the South African authorities to protect them.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has also been in communication with the concerned Nigerians, urging them to exercise restraint, avoid flashpoints and report threats to security agencies.
Nigeria and South Africa have had a rocky relationship over repeated xenophobic violence, with past and recent incidents leading to diplomatic objections, evacuation of Nigerians and calls for better safety of foreign nationals living in the country.
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