Xenophobia: Tension in South Africa as Evacuation begins today -

Following the directives of the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammed Buhari, evacuation is set to take place today.

The Federal government who recorded a number of about 640 people who registered for evacuation, have taken measures to ensure calm in South Africa and the safety of Nigerians.

However, Adetola Olubajo, President of the Nigerian Union South Africa NUSA, speaking with PUNCH correspondent said there is profound tension in South Africa regardless of the fact that there have been calm in the country. This he said, must be as a result of the spontaneous trend of attacks that South Africans are known to unleash.
He said;

“The environment is calm but the atmosphere is still tense because the people that are fighting and looting always go on sporadic attacks; so people are very careful.

“South African businesses have opened but not all of the foreign-owned businesses have opened because there are some foreign nationals that are displaced and are in the city centre in Johannesburg.

“Most of their businesses have been looted and burnt so they need to start rebuilding.”

Olubajo further said, “We believe that more people will still show interest. We want the kind of gesture that has been shown by Air Peace to be extended by other well-meaning Nigerians or aviation operators because those that are willing to leave should be given the opportunity.”

Recall that there have been in circulation messages indicating that South Africans intend attacks on evacuating Nigerians.

Although this have been debunked as “not authentic”, this may have immensely contributed to the tensed attmostphere in South Africa, particularly with foreigners and Nigerians.