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Nigerians have called on the South African government to protect Nigerian and ODA black immigrants living in South Africa due to an increase in xenophobic protests.
According to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the tension for South Africa has gotten out of control.
“While many say tensions will ease after earlier talks between the two governments, the situation on the ground will worsen”, Abike said.
NIDCOM says reports received by the commission state that “Nigerian students are afraid to go to school, and genuine business owners are afraid to open diy shops for fear of targeted attacks, looting and harassment”.
It all started when viral video captured a group of South Africans describing DiSafe as an anti-immigration task force and attacking foreigners; Some of them harassed and even attacked Oda.
Additionally, demonstrations have turned violent in several cities, including Cape Town, Durban and East London, and there are reports of looting, property damage and injuries.
Later, ODA videos began to be shown by South Africans and non-South Africans saying they should not do any business for Dia Conti.
A woman who is the leader of this group says, “We fixed this continent, now you can go to Pipo, they will move from one contre to another ODA and will not work anymore. We are tired of African immigrants, they refuse to fix Dia Contre.”
The Nigerian government says they should not study the South African situation and has called on the South African government to do something quickly.
Hundreds of anti-immigrant lobby groups and civil society organizations took to the streets of Pretoria, South Africa's largest city for immigrants, to protest.
Protests also took place from Cape Town to Durban and East London and marched to union buildings and the official seat of government to express frustration over illegal immigration.
Protesters say the government has failed to prioritize the needs of South African citizens, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to growing concerns about crime and jobs.
The protesters are wielding what appear to be sticks, wearing March to March T-shirts and carrying placards that read “March and March until we win. If fighting for my country means I'm xenophobic, then I'm proudly xenophobic”.
They want the government to deport Pipo de Contre, an illegal immigrant, back home.
Businesses around the area have closed their doors, due to fears the protests could turn violent.
The demonstration by anti-immigrant campaigners came after a series of xenophobic attacks on foreigners by De Conti.
The demonstration follows recent anti-foreigner attacks that left some African nationals, including two Nigerians, dead.
Two Nigerians killed in attacks, government issues warning
Olaniyi Abodedele, president of the Nigerian Union of South Africa, confirmed the deaths of the two Nigerians to BBC News Pidgin Via e Tok, saying they died in the same week as the anti-foreign protests bin de zinger.
They identified the deceased Pipo as Kelvin Chidibere Amaramuiro and Ekpenyong Andrew.
When the day revealed the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two Nigerians, Oga Abodele says Andrew died on Sunday, April 19, in Pretoria West.
I say that the officers arrested me, and did not tell me what crime I would commit. They claim that they beat me to death and dumped my body in the hospital.
As for the second victim, according to reports, Abodele says that on Monday, April 20, police and military invaded the house of Kelvin Amaramuiro and told me what they did and beat me, detained me in jail and later released me on bail.
De Contri Neva security personnel respond to these allegations, but protests for De Contri may lead to further attacks in South Africa.
“NIDCOM appeals to the Government of the Republic of South Africa to take immediate and clear steps to protect all foreign nationals within the borders of India, as required under international law and the African Union Protocol on Free Movement and Human Rights.”
The Nigerian government says do not profile any Nigerian or attempt to generalize as no answer to the crime.
He says anyone who commits a crime should be investigated, so they will face full punishment under South African law.
“NIDCOM therefore calls for immediate security and increased police presence and patrolling to flashpoint communities through residence and business of Nigerians.”
Why do South Africans oppose black immigrants?
Anti-immigrant protests are leading to major attacks on African countries and their citizens.
He questioned why South Africans attack Africans in their own country to do business.
South Africans want the government to deport illegal deportees de Pipo de Contre back home.
Some of the protesters told the BBC that their protest was about illegal immigration and unemployment in the country.
He says illegal migration is a crime all over the world and South Africa is no exception as they struggle with scarce resources.
The protesters say their demonstration is meant to draw attention to India's leaders because they are giving priority to illegal immigrants in South Africa.
“If any foreigner thinks that South Africans are xenophobic, let them leave the contrey. You don't deserve to live in a contrey where you don't love, you don't deserve to live in a contrey where you don't love, the way you hate Dia Pipo… just commot de contrey, why do you want to live in the contrey when you are not comfortable with what happens in the contrey?”
South African government condemns xenophobic attack
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent xenophobic attacks, which saw some South Africans attack black Africans and destroy their businesses out of deference.
He says that although South Africans are concerned about undocumented and illegal immigrants for De Conti, he says the concerns do not give rise to xenophobia.
“We must not allow any concerns to give rise to xenophobia, directed towards Pipo from the African continent or from any part of the world.
President Ramaphosa said, “As South Africans we cannot in any way allow hatred towards Odas to overpower us, Odas cannot pity us, they cannot support us, we cannot inspire hatred towards them.”