More than nine Nigerian-owned shops in Hillbrow, Central Johannesburg in South Africa were on Sunday torched during the outbreak of another round of xenophobic attacks on Nigerian businesses in that country.
The publicity secretary of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Habib Miller, said in a telephone interview from Pretoria on Monday that South Africans allegedly committed the act.
NAN quotes Miller as saying that the union had informed the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and was expecting their response to the development.
“Nine Nigerian businesses have been looted and burnt. The incident began on Sunday, October 21 and continued till Monday, October 22.
“Businesses affected range from restaurants, internet cafe, bar, groceries and stores.
“At the time of the incident, electricity in the area was cut off. One of the businesses affected is owned by Mr. C.J. Ubah, a bar owner at Fife Street,’’ he said.
Miller called on the police to come to the rescue of Nigerians by protecting their lives and property.
“The union is monitoring the situation. We have not received any report of casualty, but the situation is still tense because there are fears that the looting will resume in the night.
“We have also advised Nigerians in the area to adopt safety measures by being alert,’’ Miller said.
