Following
recent reports of attacks on non-indigenes residing in South Africa,
especially Nigerians, the Nigerian Youths Congress (NYC) has called on
the South African authorities to immediately halt the ongoing xenophobic
attacks in their territories or have their nationals in Nigeria
subjected to similar treatment.
The warning by NYC is in response to
disheartening videos making the rounds which showed South African locals
attacking and burning foreigners (Nigerians inclusive) alive, and in
some instances, looting their shops.
Reacting to the incident, the
president, NYC, Comrade Yakubu Shendam, who expressed dismay at the
heinous act, regretted that South African authorities are silent on such
callous acts perpetrated against a people who have contributed largely
to their economic growth.
He said it was ingratitude and sheer act
of wickedness for any South African national to contemplate harming
foreigners, particularly Nigerians who stood behind them during their
trying moments.
People attempt to catch a loaf of stolen bread thrown by one of a mob of youths looting a shop in Meadowlands, Soweto.
He said, “South African citizens are
scattered around Nigeria excelling in various businesses and are being
protected by the government. In telecommunications alone, what South
Africans make from Nigeria is unimaginable.
“If the Nigerian government and people
can provide the enabling environment for South Africans to thrive and in
turn, her citizens are being maimed and killed for being foreigners,
Nigerian youths may be compelled to mete out similar treatment to South
Africans operating in the country”.
Commenting on the bilateral relations
between the two countries, the youth leader said the sin against human
right to life perpetrated against Nigerians devastatingly betrayed the
love Nigeria demonstrated in her efforts towards ending the apartheid
regime.
“Nigerian youths cannot continue to sit
and watch South Africans thrive in their various endeavours while
Nigerians who are out there in South Africa pursuing legitimate
businesses are being hunted down everyday”, he stated.
The IYC president said henceforth, any
report of xenophobia or any maltreatment further meted out to Nigerians
in South Africa will be retaliated against their nationals operating in
Nigeria. “Enough is enough; if South African government cannot call its
youths to order, we will be left with no alternative but to prove to
them that they do not have monopoly of violence,” he added.
