Nigerians living in South Africa have cried out against the
xenophobic attacks on Africans in parts of the country.
Itunu Bodunrin, who on Monday had attended his master’s
degree graduation ceremony at the University of KwaZulu-
Natal, Durban, told newsmen that he was unable to leave
the school campus afterwards due to the violence in the
town.
Bodunrin forwarded a text message to Nigerian journalists
which, according to him, had been circulated among South
African residents via an instant messaging mobile
application, WhatsApp.
In the message, signed by several groups, including the
Patriotic Movement, Pan Local Forum, Unemployed
Workers Forum and Anti-Crime Movement, Nigerians and
other African foreigners were warned to leave the country.
It read in part,
“Dear neighbour from Africa and other parts of the
world, we have travelled the world and have not
found one country that allows the floods of humans
across its borders as South Africa is experiencing.
Even in war-torn parts like Syria, Ukraine, Yemen
and Somali.
“We were seven million people in Johannesburg city
in 2011. Today, we have an estimated 13 million. In
Johannesburg alone, you have taken over entire
suburbs: Yeoville, Berea, Bez Valley, Turfontein,
among many. You have even moved into rural parts
of our country that have 80-per-cent
unemployment, and there are no visible signs that
you have jobs either.
“We want to be proudly part of the geographic
construct called Africa, but we are as different from
one another as Kenyans are from Nigerians; Ivorians
from Chadians, etc.
“We are pleading with you to return to your home
countries. Go and build up those countries so that
we can all live in economic, social and political
prosperity and peace as neighbours. The genocide
in this corner of Africa will be far worse than what
happened in Rwanda in 1994. Then the entire
continent will be condemned to ashes. Is that what
you want?
“South Africans not fully employed or who were
found guilty of crimes, were recently repatriated
from Nigeria and rightly so.
“Our people are preparing for war against all
foreigners (from Bulgaria, Pakistan and Bangladesh
to Africa, north of the Limpopo) and we are all very
scared. Please go home and build Africa. Millions
will die if you don’t. This we can guarantee.”
Similarly, Samson Ojako, a master’s degree student
studying Mathematics also at the University of KwaZulu-
Natal noted that looting had been rampant for over a week.
“Those that opened their shops were attacked by the Zulu.
During all of this, those of us on campus were warned by
the school management to stay indoors. They said no one
should leave the school premises, especially during the
weekend.”
Ojako noted that a large number of Zulus often migrated
from their villages into town on weekends in order to launch
attacks on non-nationals.
He likened the last one week to life in a refugee camp,
saying that those living on campus could not go out to
shop for food.
“A lot of people are living in fear, especially the ladies. Even
for us who are guys, last week, we had to move in groups,”
he said.
Olawale Olawepo, another Nigerian studying for a doctorate
degree in Industrial Organisation and Labour Studies said
the school authorities also warned students against taking
public transportation. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL AND TOUCHING NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES BIOGRAPHY AND SCANDALS
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