TheCable

Nigerians living in South Africa have asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to protect them and their properties from xenophobic attacks.

The Nigerian community, under the aegis of Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), expressed concerns amid recent protests against foreigners by South Africans.

In a statement, Collins Mgbo, NUSA president, said tension heightened when a group of about 2,000 individuals staged a protest against migrant workers as part of ‘Operation Dudula’.

Dudula, a Zulu phrase that means “drive back,” has gained prominence as a symbol of rising anti-immigrant sentiments in South Africa.

“I call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to help our community during this trying time so that we may not lose our brothers again to xenophobic attacks,” Mgbo said.

“The Operation Dudula group turned up in a mob of several hundred at a migrant centre in South Africa’s Soweto township, with the unemployed, wielding weapons and angry with foreigners they accuse of taking their jobs, chanting “foreigners, go home”.

“We are concerned because, in the past, xenophobic protests have led to violence and looting of shops owned by foreigners.

“In 2008, the attacks against foreigners left at least 62 people dead, and in 2015, seven innocent African brothers were killed.

“Armed mobs descended on foreign-owned businesses in Johannesburg in 2019. Another mob attack left at least 12 people dead.

“In recent weeks, scores of protesters have been staging demonstrations against undocumented migrants in what they have dubbed Operation Dudula, and this time, we do not know how many foreign nationals would sacrifice their lives for it.”

Mgbo said the South African president and other politicians, including Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), had condemned the actions of the group.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced out his concern stating that his government was closely watching ongoing anti-migrant protests to prevent them from resulting into xenophobic attacks, amid growing public anger at foreigners,” he added.

“Ramaphosa said his government is aware of pockets of groupings that are trying to paint negative attitudes and feelings toward foreigners.

“The president said the law enforcement agencies are keeping a watchful eye on the way that people are responding to the presence of people from other countries in our own country.”