Photo: @Ayemojubar
Xenophobia: South African stores in Nigeria targeted by “revenge attacks” [video]
Shoprite stores in Nigeria have taken a battering over the past 24 hours. The South African franchise was targeted in retaliation to “xenophobia” on our shores.
Photo: @Ayemojubar
South Africa’s battle with elements of xenophobia is spilling over from our borders, and the consequences are being felt right across the continent. It has been reported this week that multiple branches of Shoprite in Nigeria are being targeted by angered locals, retaliating to the crisis in Mzansi.
Foreign nationals – including Nigerian immigrants – have had their stores raided and also found themselves on the receiving end of physical abuse. Five people have been killed in riots across Gauteng, and the clashes have caused a diplomatic incident between South Africa and Nigeria.
Happening live at Shoprite, Ota, OgunState Nigeria!
— ? (@Mr_Auto_Correct) September 3, 2019
Things escalated real fast minutes after this video was taken.
?more?#SayNoToXenophobicAttacks#StopXenophobia pic.twitter.com/lsp03yfNmq
Xenophobia in South Africa
A statement issued by the Nigerian government earlier this week vowed to take “definitive measures to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens” within SA. Tensions have only escalated in the wake of this utterance, and it would seem that “an eye for an eye” is now the philosophy being implemented by some citizens of Nigeria.
Several Shoprite stores – a South African-owned franchise – have been looted and raided over the past 24 hours. Violence broke out at some establishments, and some reports claim that one protester was shot dead in Lagos State.
Store displays were trashed, goods were taken from shelves and fires flared-up in some car parks. Shoprite has a huge presence in the north-west-African country and many of the shops are Nigerian-owned, but it has since become a symbol of the hatred being displayed by their South African counterparts:
Watch: Shoprite stores targeted by Nigerians
Shoprite outlet in Sangotedo in Ajah, Lagos State, Nigeria being looted. pic.twitter.com/w4Je8W53pb
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 3, 2019
Shoprite (Circle Mall) in Lekki, Nigeria is under siege by angry protestors in response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/mBSiJtnhX8
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 3, 2019
Ramaphosa reacts to xenophobia tensions
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also been addressing the scourge of violence that has gripped the country. Presented with the twin threats of xenophobia and gender-based crimes, he issued several Tweets on both matters throughout Tuesday. The head of state has vowed to limit any forms of violence in South Africa going forward.
I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them. pic.twitter.com/sizZkwIyPO
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 3, 2019
