Foreigners targeted in new outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa
- Unrest in Johannesburg evoked memories of anti-immigrant violence in 2015
South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of xenophobic violence in its biggest city, attracting criticism from other African nations in the week political and business leaders from at least 28 countries gather in Cape Town.
A spate of violence that broke out in suburbs south of Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday and spread to the central business district on Monday saw the destruction of more than 50 mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises.
Cars and properties were torched and widespread looting took place.
“We believe that these attacks are xenophobic,” said Dewa Mavhinga, southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
The attacks came ahead of the beginning of the African edition of the World Economic Forum in Cape Town on Wednesday and before a state visit to South Africa by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, a country whose nationals have been affected, next month.
“The continuing attacks on Nigerian nationals and businesses in South Africa are unacceptable,” the government of Nigeria said on Twitter.
“Enough is enough. Nigeria will take definitive measures to ensure safety and protection of her citizens.”