Opinion: The Tail Wags South Africa-Nigeria Dog, By Azu Ishiekwene
One of the most telling summaries of what has been happening in the last few days between South Africa and Nigeria was the comment by columnist, Owei Lakemfa, that the continent’s two largest economies now take orders from the streets.
In the last few days, I have heard otherwise moderate people say that if South Africa stops the killings, it would not be because President Muhammadu Buhari met with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Japan. Or because Buhari sent a special envoy to Johannesburg or pulled out of the World Economic Forum. It would simply because angry Nigerians said enough is enough, took to the streets and attacked, well, what is supposed to be South African businesses.
After Nhamuave, one Nigerian man, Nkemjika, shot in the leg by South African police and detained for 18 months only for the authorities to discontinue his case for lack of evidence, considered his own travail small potato. He claimed he was shot for refusing to indulge the notorious bribe-for-residency. Many other Nigerians, caught in the crosshairs of xenophobia, are not alive to tell their own stories.
His claim was later fact-checked as false, but he had done exactly what he wanted to do – fueled the embers of xenophobic hatred against immigrants in the communities. In the past, Johannesburg’s Mayor Herman Mashaba also piled on the pressure when he said illegal immigrants were largely responsible for the crimes in their communities.
While the casualties range from Zimbabweans to Somalis and from Mozambicans to immigrants from Lesotho and Ghana, Nigerians appear to have been targeted with exceptional venom. The latest round of violence, for example, was sparked by a report that a cab driver had been killed by a Nigerian – which turned out to be false, but by then the fallout had ricocheted across the affected community.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa police minister blames criminality for attacks | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsSouth African police minister Bheki Cele Monday said criminality, not xenophobia, should be blamed for the attacks on foreign-owned businesses in the country. “Nothing… has sparked any form of conflict between the South African and foreign nationals,” Cele said. Cele’s comment contrasted the views of Nigerian, Ethiopian and Zambian authorities after many businesses owned non-South Africans …
Read more »
BREAKING: Buhari, Osinbajo meet over xenophobia as Nigeria boycotts WEF in South Africa - Daily Post NigeriaPresident Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to discuss next step on Xeno
Read more »
BREAKING: Nigeria recalls Ambassador to South Africa - Premium Times NigeriaNigerian delegates also pulled out of the World Economic Summit holding in Cape Town on Wednesday
Read more »
Xenophobia: President Buhari to recall Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa - Daily Post NigeriaPresident Muhammadu Buhari has concluded every arrangement to recall the Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala, according to th
Read more »
FG demands compensation over attacks in South Africa | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsThe Federal Government yesterday demanded compensation and accountability from South Africa over attacks on Nigerians. But it appealed to Nigerians not to retaliate by attacking South African companies operating in Nigeria.
Read more »