Deadly riots have impacted mostly Nigerian-owned businesses in the South African capital of Johannesburg and it has caused tension between the two African countries.
What We Know:
- The actions were driven by re-established xenophobic views towards outsiders of Johannesburg, South Africa and has led to multiple deaths and hundreds of arrests. People were angered over the lack of unemployment, which is around 28 percent, and impoverished living conditions. It has led them to loot and attack shops owned by foreigners within the country.
- “Police have increased deployments to cover all the areas identified as hot spots of violence that has seen several shops being looted, burned and property being looted,” advised police spokesperson Col Lungelo Dlamini. These spots have been identified in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg Central, Jeppestown, and Cleveland.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence on Tuesday by calling the attacks on foreigners “totally unacceptable” and adding that xenophobia is “something that is completely against the ethos that we as South Africans espouse.”
- Somalis, Zimbabweans and Mozambicans have all been victims over the years but the recent attacks have caused tension between South Africa and Nigeria specifically. These are the largest economies in Africa and both have been competing for influence in the region.
- Thousands of people in Africa have spoken out against the riots on social media, using hashtag #SayNoToXenophobia. They see each other as brothers and sisters and are upset that it has resulted to violence.
Yesterday! At the #SayNoToXenophobia protest in front of the South African Embassy. Doudou Stephens speaks truth to power. Listen 👂🏽 🔑 pic.twitter.com/ulVJ6rLT1i
— Napoleon Da Legend (@TeamNDL) September 13, 2019
Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela thanked members of the public who provided information to assist the police in dealing with the violent situations.
