- Reactions continue to trail the xenophobic attacks in South Africa
- The Pan African Youth Union have condemned the attacks on foreign nationals
- The group called on law enforcement agents in South Africa to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks
The Pan African Youth Union (PYU) have condemned the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in some areas in South Africa.
The group in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Monday, April 1 signed by Nihi Oladele John, commissioner for youth political participation, called on law enforcement agents in South Africa to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks.
He expressed his heartfelt dismay on the attacks in South Africa, noting that it has affected many Nigerians and other African Nationals.
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“Information made available to us revealed that shops and properties of Nigerians were damaged and burnt during the attacks, Nine Nigerians were injured, while three of them have been hospitalized having sustained life threatening injuries.
“Over 200 foreigners have taken refuge at the police station. Some of the displaced foreigners are Nigerians. Two foreign nationals, whose identities have not been confirmed, have been reportedly killed,” he said.
He therefore called for intervention from government of South Africa and Nigeria to wade urgently into this crisis, warning that the situation could easily escalate further.
He urged the police in South Africa to act against people targeting foreigners.
His words: “The issue is not only about foreign nationals and their rights, but about the safety of all who live in South Africa and the government must be seen protecting the safety and rights of everyone by taking a tougher stance against the perpetrators and possibly bringing them to book while also putting measures in place to forestall future attacks.
“We call on the South African government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of all migrants in South Africa. We also appeal to political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations to actively discourage their members from participating in barbaric attacks.
“It is important for South Africa to strengthen the laws which protect immigrants so that citizens who want to attack immigrants will be deterred from doing that. There should be strict laws pushed in place to prosecute all leaders (political, traditional, religious, organizations and others) who incite the citizens against the foreigners.
“There should be a strict enforcement of the laws of the international bodies like the UN, ECOWAS, EU, AU and others to sanctions state and communities who abuse foreigners living on their lands.”
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Meanwhile, weeks after withdrawing from the 2019 presidential election, a former Nigeria education minister and solid minerals, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has been announced as Forbes Woman Africa social influencer.
Ezekwesili, an anti-corruption activist and former presidential candidate, was honoured at the prestigious Forbes Woman Africa Awards inaugural gala dinner held this March in Durban, South Africa.
The award celebrates Ezekwesili's efforts in launching the viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.
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