Nigerians in South Africa,
especially students have cried out against the xenophobic attacks on Africans
especially Nigerians in parts of the country. In an interview with Sunday Punch,
Nigerians studying in South Africa explains how they have been hiding from
their attackers, how they have been sending them threat messages and how they
have been moving in groups if at all they have to go out. What they told Punch
after the cut. So terrible and heart breaking, this is not even whites against
blacks.
especially students have cried out against the xenophobic attacks on Africans
especially Nigerians in parts of the country. In an interview with Sunday Punch,
Nigerians studying in South Africa explains how they have been hiding from
their attackers, how they have been sending them threat messages and how they
have been moving in groups if at all they have to go out. What they told Punch
after the cut. So terrible and heart breaking, this is not even whites against
blacks.
In separate telephone
interviews with Sunday Punch, the Nigerian migrants expressed their fear of
attacks as death threats were being circulated on social media.
interviews with Sunday Punch, the Nigerian migrants expressed their fear of
attacks as death threats were being circulated on social media.
Itunu Bodunrin, who on
Monday had attended his master’s degree graduation ceremony at the University
of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, told our correspondent that he was unable to leave
the school campus afterwards due to the violence in the town.
Monday had attended his master’s degree graduation ceremony at the University
of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, told our correspondent that he was unable to leave
the school campus afterwards due to the violence in the town.
Bodunrin forwarded a text
message to our correspondent which, according to him, had been circulated among
South African residents via an instant messaging mobile application, WhatsApp.
message to our correspondent which, according to him, had been circulated among
South African residents via an instant messaging mobile application, WhatsApp.
In the message, signed by
several groups, including the Patriotic Movement, Pan Local Forum, Unemployed
Workers Forum and Anti-Crime Movement, Nigerians and other African foreigners
were warned to leave the country.
several groups, including the Patriotic Movement, Pan Local Forum, Unemployed
Workers Forum and Anti-Crime Movement, Nigerians and other African foreigners
were warned to leave the country.
It read in part, “Dear
neighbour from Africa and other parts of the world, we have travelled the world
and have not found one country that allows the floods of humans across its
borders as South Africa is experiencing. Even in war-torn parts like Syria,
Ukraine, Yemen and Somali.
neighbour from Africa and other parts of the world, we have travelled the world
and have not found one country that allows the floods of humans across its
borders as South Africa is experiencing. Even in war-torn parts like Syria,
Ukraine, Yemen and Somali.
“We were seven million
people in Johannesburg city in 2011. Today, we have an estimated 13 million. In
Johannesburg alone, you have taken over entire suburbs: Yeoville, Berea, Bez
Valley, Turfontein, among many. You have even moved into rural parts of our
country that have 80-per-cent unemployment, and there are no visible signs that
you have jobs either.
people in Johannesburg city in 2011. Today, we have an estimated 13 million. In
Johannesburg alone, you have taken over entire suburbs: Yeoville, Berea, Bez
Valley, Turfontein, among many. You have even moved into rural parts of our
country that have 80-per-cent unemployment, and there are no visible signs that
you have jobs either.
“We want to be proudly part
of the geographic construct called Africa, but we are as different from one
another as Kenyans are from Nigerians; Ivorians from Chadians, etc.
of the geographic construct called Africa, but we are as different from one
another as Kenyans are from Nigerians; Ivorians from Chadians, etc.
“We are pleading with you to
return to your home countries. Go and build up those countries so that we can
all live in economic, social and political prosperity and peace as neighbours.
The genocide in this corner of Africa will be far worse than what happened in
Rwanda in 1994. Then the entire continent will be condemned to ashes. Is that
what you want?
return to your home countries. Go and build up those countries so that we can
all live in economic, social and political prosperity and peace as neighbours.
The genocide in this corner of Africa will be far worse than what happened in
Rwanda in 1994. Then the entire continent will be condemned to ashes. Is that
what you want?
“South Africans not fully
employed or who were found guilty of crimes, were recently repatriated from
Nigeria and rightly so.
employed or who were found guilty of crimes, were recently repatriated from
Nigeria and rightly so.
“Our people are preparing
for war against all foreigners (from Bulgaria, Pakistan and Bangladesh to Africa,
north of the Limpopo) and we are all very scared. Please go home and build
Africa. Millions will die if you don’t. This we can guarantee.”
for war against all foreigners (from Bulgaria, Pakistan and Bangladesh to Africa,
north of the Limpopo) and we are all very scared. Please go home and build
Africa. Millions will die if you don’t. This we can guarantee.”
Similarly, Samson Ojako, a
master’s degree student studying Mathematics also at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal noted that looting had been rampant for over a week.
master’s degree student studying Mathematics also at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal noted that looting had been rampant for over a week.
“Those that opened their
shops were attacked by the Zulu. During all of this, those of us on campus were
warned by the school management to stay indoors. They said no one should leave
the school premises, especially during the weekend.”
shops were attacked by the Zulu. During all of this, those of us on campus were
warned by the school management to stay indoors. They said no one should leave
the school premises, especially during the weekend.”
Ojako noted that a large
number of Zulus often migrated from their villages into town on weekends in
order to launch attacks on non-nationals.
number of Zulus often migrated from their villages into town on weekends in
order to launch attacks on non-nationals.
He likened the last one week
to life in a refugee camp, saying that those living on campus could not go out
to shop for food.
to life in a refugee camp, saying that those living on campus could not go out
to shop for food.
“A lot of people are living
in fear, especially the ladies. Even for us who are guys, last week, we had to
move in groups,” he said.
in fear, especially the ladies. Even for us who are guys, last week, we had to
move in groups,” he said.
Olawale Olawepo, another
Nigerian studying for a doctorate degree in Industrial Organisation and Labour
Studies said the school authorities also warned students against taking public
transportation.
Nigerian studying for a doctorate degree in Industrial Organisation and Labour
Studies said the school authorities also warned students against taking public
transportation.
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