The Nigerian Community in South Africa have confirmed attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, that the attacks began at 4.00am. He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.
“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans.
“One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack. Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment,” he said.
Anyene said the union had informed Nigerians in South Africa to be vigilant in the face of renewed xenophobic attacks. According to him, the union received information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on February 22 and 23. “We began taking precautionary measures when the incident took place today.
“The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them,” he said.
Anyene called on the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to protect Nigerians in their country.
“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” he said.

Please send ur fortunes back home and establish youresleves

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4887111_pastor5_jpeg32fa4957ddc3db4666359226543d7529
Photograph by: Simphiwe Nkwali

Angry Pretoria residents assault church pastor during violent protest

Gabi Mbele | 18 February, 2017


A Church minister felt the wrath of a mob of angry Pretoria residents on Saturday‚ who assaulted him during a violent protest against "Nigerians selling drugs and prostituting our children".


Police fired stun grenades to disperse the angry crowd‚ who were walking around the area to "search and burn spaces that are known to be selling nyaope to school children". At least two houses were burnt down.

The throng of community members‚ some drinking beer‚ entered Celestial Church of Christ in Atteridgeville planning to "search the church for drugs and any illegal activity".

Angry residents torch houses in Pretoria West

The church's prophet‚ Samson Sangojinmi‚ was immediately called. When he arrived in his Mercedes Benz he was assaulted by the mob‚ leaving his white robe bloodied before his congregation managed to drag him inside.



Prophet Samson Sangijnmi from Central Church of Christ is bleeding after he is being attacked by mob.

"F**k you‚ you're selling drugs‚ what's in that bag you are carrying?" shouted one resident.

"You Nigerians must go open churches and salons in your own countries‚ no one can survive on such alone without selling drugs‚" said another.

By then about 20 police officers had arrived and fired a stun grenade to disperse the crowd.

Paramedics treated Sangojinmi. The minister said he was hurt that people thought he would sell drugs.

"We help many people in this church‚ when they want food or a place to stay we help them. It's sad to see people attacking me even when I'm trying to talk to them‚" said Sangojinmi.

Prophet Samson Sangijnmi attacked by mob accusing him of selling drugs and also trafficking girls.

One woman‚ who refused to be named‚ said she had witnessed children in school uniform entering several of the houses they had searched.

"Some of the girls we found in the houses were high‚ wearing short outfits‚ who've ended up never leaving because they owed these Nigerians too much money.

"Enough is enough‚ we can't trust the police anymore because they never do anything to help us‚" she said.

Police spokeswoman Captain Augustinah Selepe said the group of people who targeted foreign nationals‚ started demonstrating early on Saturday morning.

She said that by the time police responded to the scene‚ two houses had already been burnt down. “Police are keeping a strong presence and are on the ground monitoring the situation‚” she said.

Saturday's violence follows similar protests recently in the southern Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville.


TMG Digital/Sunday Times http://m.timeslive.co.za/?articleId=2304174

flat heads, brown roof republic,IPOB miscreants, afonja, abokis, almajiri we dont even like ourselves not surprised that others dont like us

I'm calling my brothers