South Africa: Foreign Owned Businesses Destroyed in Fresh Wave of Xenophobia

• South Africa: Foreign Owned Businesses Destroyed in Fresh Wave of Xenophobia

Several Foreign-owned businesses have been destroyed in a Xenophobia attack, early Wednesday morning by an angry mob comprising mainly taxi drivers in Pretoria Central Business District (CBD), South Africa, following the death of a taxi driver who was allegedly shot dead by Tanzanian national on Tuesday at Pretoria CBD.

NAN reports that, following the unrest, the Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA) has advised Nigerians in South Africa to avoid Pretoria CBD until it is certified safe by the Police Authority.

President of NUSA, Adetola Olubajo revealed in a statement that, “Violent looting and burning of foreign owned businesses started in the early hours of today, Aug.28, at the Pretoria, CBD.

“The violent revolt and looting have been fuelled by the death of a taxi driver allegedly by Tanzania nationals on Tuesday at Pretoria Cbd.

“Not less than two buildings were burnt by the angry mob. This was done after the stocks in the various shops were looted by the rioters.

“The situation was very volatile this morning but the joint efforts of South African Police Service members helped to curb the violent looting and attacks, although the situation is still tensed at the area as several roads were blocked for motorists.”

He also said that at the time of filing the statement, only two Nigerian owned businesses were identified to be affected,- furniture/electronic shops on Sisulu Street and Gold Exchange Business on Lillan Ngoyi Street; both of which were looted and burnt.

Olubajo also revealed, “Information reaching us is that some foreign-owned business has been marked to be attacked over the night.

“The marked foreign-owned businesses include a Nigerian-owned Private Clinic, Nigerian-owned Motor spares shop and a Nigerian shop among others.

“The Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria has been informed of the planned overnight attacks and looting of foreign nationals businesses.”

In reaction to the unrest, a joint statement signed by the offices of Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure as well as that of the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner and Taxi Industry, Tshwane, revealed that they were engaging with the taxi industry following the deadly shooting of the taxi operator in Pretoria CBD.

Gauteng Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, together with the Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt.-Gen. Elias Mawela on Wednesday engaged with the City of Tshwane as well as representatives of the taxi industry in Tshwane.

“This followed an incident on Tuesday afternoon where a taxi operator was fatally shot near the Bloed Long-Distance Taxi Rank in Pretoria.

“The taxi industry representatives tabled their concerns and raised what both the MEC and Provincial Commissioner believe are genuine concerns, which require urgent attention to ensure safety and security within the space in which they operate.

“The South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police Department have since intensified deployments and will maintain a presence in the CBD to ensure that no further incidents of criminality recur,’’

The Statement however disclosed that representatives from the taxi industry have denied participation in the looting saying that there was no form of aggression on their part.

Quoting Mr Mack Makata of SANTACO, the statement read, “We had planned for a demonstration to highlight some of our issues with the shooting of one of us, and we believe some criminal elements took advantage and exploited our plan to advance their criminal intent,

The statement also revealed that 10 suspects have been arrested for possession of suspected stolen property while an additional 7 were detained for public violence.