TheCable

A Nigerian in South Africa has been stabbed.

The victim identified as Desmond, was reportedly attacked in Rustenberg, north-west province area, on February 14.

“Desmond is a Nigerian hair piece hawker in Rustenberg, north-west province of South Africa,” Adetola Olubajo, President of Nigerian Union, South Africa, told NAN.

“He was attacked on February 14 and sustained multiple injuries. He was rescued when he was about to be set ablaze after being wet with petrol.”

Olubajo said Nigerians are living in fear, with abductions becoming rampant.

“Nigerians and their families told us that the situation is very dangerous and that their lives are not safe,” he said.

“There are also allegations that some group of people are abducting Nigerians and requesting money to bail themselves.

A Nigerian who couldn’t pay was murdered last month. This same group also looted businesses of foreign nationals, Nigerians in particular.”

Olubajo said the union could not continue to keep quiet on this “criminality and xenophobic” act meted to Nigerians in South Africa.

He said the Nigerian mission and government must intervene to avoid further loss of lives and properties of Nigerians.

South Africa has experienced waves of xenophobic attacks targeted at African migrants for years.