Nigerian Union in South Africa urges FG to Protect Nigerians following Another Attack in Cape Town

The Nigeria Union in South Africa has urged the Federal Government to protect its citizens in that country, following another an attack on Nigerians in Cape Town.

The President of the union, Ikechukwu Anyene, made the call in a telephone interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday.

Anyene told NAN that the attack took place at Du-Noon, a suburb of Cape Town on Monday.

According to him, the union received reports that a demonstration by some South Africans over poor service delivery by their government, turned violent, degenerating to attacks on Nigerians and some other Africans, with their property being looted and destroyed.

“During the protest, it turned violent; they started attacking homes and shops owned by foreigners. Nigerians, Somalis and Kenyans were attacked and their homes and shops looted.”

Anyene said that a Nigerian, Tunde Salami, sustained serious head injury and was hospitalised while others with minor injuries had been treated and discharged.

He said that the property destroyed included building materials, cosmetics, saloon shops, cell phones and accessories, cooking utensils and foodstuffs.

According to him, 33 Nigerian shops were affected in the violent protest.

The president expressed sadness that the police who were said to have accompanied the protesters, failed to prevent them from looting and destroying property belonging to foreigners.

He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate and would soon visit Cape Town to assess the situation of things.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Consulate, confirmed to NAN that the report had been received.