The Nigerian Embassy in South Africa has shut its door to Nigerian victims of ongoing xenophobic attacks in the former apartheid colony.

The latest attacks against nationals of other African countries domiciled in South Africa, which started on August 28, 2019, has spread to several parts of that country, raising fears of more violence in the coming days.

Speaking with Sahara Reporters on Monday, a handful of Nigerians in South Africa revealed how they now live in fear.

According to them, some victims of the attack, who visited the Nigerian Embassy for help and protection were denied entry into the place.

Former president of Nigerian Union South Africa, Iyke Anyene, told Sahara Reporters that Nigerians had remained in the houses, afraid for their lives and unsure if they would be the next victims.

He said, “In some parts of Guateng Province the looting has continued.

“It started in Pretoria and people have not been able to do their businesses. It is not safe, there is widespread looting.

“Some Nigerian victims went to the high commission but were denied entry into the place.

“The high commission claimed that they are dealing with the situation but we don't know what to do. We need results, people are losing their lives and properties.”

He said migrants from other African countries are also affected in the attacks and looting, adding that the South African police are usually overwhelmed when such attacks happen.

He added, “All African migrants are affected. When it happened in Pretoria, the police was there but couldn’t stop the attack.

“In Johannesburg, they were not able to stop anything. It is a very serious problem at the moment.”

A Nigerian business woman, Doris Ikeri-Solarin, also told Sahara Reporters that she had remained indoors with her family for fear of being killed by South Africans if they go out of their home.

She said, “There is trouble, it is very tough. There is a state of emergency and the violence is still ongoing.

“No one opened shop today, our movement has been restricted.

“In Mabupane, they burnt our shops on Wednesday but we were able to save the ones we have around Sunnyside.

“These people are reinforcing and they are coming out to attack us.”

Ikeri-Solarin faulted the Nigerian Embassy for shutting citizens out at such time of need.

She added, “A baby just died in Marabasa because of the fire. We are at home, we can't go out, our children cannot go to school, Nigerians inside taxis are dragged out and attacked.

“Nigerian Embassy does not exist. Some of our people affected by this attack went to the high commission but the ambassador did not come out. It is a big shame on them.”

Last Wednesday in Japan during the Tokyo International Conference for Africa Development, President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said that his government will address the killings of Nigerians in his country.

He added that the country's criminal justice system was looking to proffer lasting solutions.

He said, “On the issue of Nigerians who are dying in South Africa, we feel very upset about that.

“Obviously, our criminal justice system is working on it. We don’t support killings.”

But despite his assurances, South Africans have continued to target Nigerians in xenophobic attacks, killing and destroying businesses belonging to them.

In July, President of Nigeria’s Senate, Ahmed Lawan, disclosed that about 118 Nigerians had so far lost their lives in different attacks in South Africa over the years.

Experts say the figure could may well be above that figure especially several unreported cases of hostilities against Nigerians.

Most Nigerian embassies abroad are totally useless to Nigerians. Just to renew your passport becomes rocket science until your passport expires and you end being arrested.
They show no regards for their own citizens so how will the host country take any Nigerian serious.
Nigerian embassy in Kuala Lumpur is the worst of them all. Nigeria is a joke.

our government is useless they only know how to boast

What South Africans seems not to understand is the fact that Who God don bless no Man can curse.......its not Nigerians fault that we always progress in any environment we find ourselves in

Nigerians abroad tend to be more economical to the country that their are in more than the citizens if those countries themselves

Let the rest of Africa join forces together and banish South Africa

When it comes to protection, Nigeria government is useless on that I meant at home front not talk of abroad..Even we at home cannot sleep with our two eyes closed.

If our country is good enough for us there will be less interest in a xenophobic country but scarcity of men makes one call dog mister.