The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the human and economic losses suffered by Nigerians as a result of recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The lawmakers also urged the relevant committees of the House to investigate possible means of compensating the victims and recommend stiffer diplomatic measures to protect Nigerians living and doing business in the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, at plenary on Wednesday.
The lawmaker called for a full assessment of the casualties, destruction of property and economic losses suffered by Nigerians in the course of repeated attacks in South Africa.
The development came as the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, said South Africans were starting to feel the economic effects of attacks on foreign owned businesses, it was reported.
In moving the motion, Benson recalled Nigeria’s significant role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
He said Nigeria committed huge diplomatic, financial and political resources towards aiding South Africa’s liberation from apartheid rule.
But he said he was worried about Nigerians legally living in South Africa who had been subjected to xenophobic attacks for almost two decades despite the historic relationship between both countries.
“For nearly two decades, Nigerians lawfully residing in the Republic of South Africa have been recurrent victims of xenophobic violence characterized by killings, mob attacks, physical assaults, arson, looting of businesses, destruction of properties, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns principally targeted at African migrants,” Benson said.
The lawmaker recalled the major outbreaks of xenophobic violence that took place in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
“The attacks have led to loss of lives and property and diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa,” he said.
Some of the incidents had resulted in emergency evacuations of Nigerians from the country, he said.
Benson also expressed concerns over renewed anti-foreigner campaigns allegedly being promoted by groups like Operation Dudula, saying the activities had increased fears among Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Onyekwelu said the economic impact of the attacks was beginning to be felt in South African communities.
“The closure and destruction of foreign-owned businesses made it difficult for some South Africans to access affordable goods and services in their communities,” he said on Channels Television.
“They are starting to catch up to reality. Telling foreigners to leave is one thing, dealing with the aftermath is another. “We have seen South Africans begging foreign business owners to come back because they can’t get affordable goods close to where they live,” he said.
Commercial activities, Onyekwelu added, had also been hit in places where foreign- owned businesses were targeted.
“Many businesses in city centres have shut down, the circulation of cash has decreased and commercial activity has dropped considerably,” he said.
He said the situation is a clear indication that foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have a key role in South Africa’s local economy.
‘Nigerians Continue to Face Daily Threats’
Nigerians in South Africa remain victims of xenophobic attacks despite the efforts of government authorities and community leaders to ease tensions, the NICASA president said.
He said the association received daily reports of threats and attacks through its provincial leadership structures in all nine provinces of South Africa.
“Many Nigerians have lost their homes, their businesses and years of investment having been forced to flee places where they did not feel safe,” Onyekwelu said.
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“Some Nigerians were among the nearly 1,500 citizens evacuated from South Africa following previous attacks and security concerns,” he added.
He said the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria had asked Nigerians affected to document and register their losses.
Documentation would help in keeping proper records of the losses and could support future claims for compensation, he said.
Onyekwelu also mentioned a recent attack on a Nigerian-owned mechanic workshop on July 5, during which over 25 vehicles were allegedly set on fire.
“These incidents have continued to cause huge financial losses to Nigerians who invested their savings and years of hard work in South Africa,” he said.
The NICASA president condemned the tendency to blame all Nigerians for the alleged criminal acts of a few Nigerians.
“They are being unfairly judged by the actions of a few people. “Nationality does not equal criminality,” he said.
He called for fair treatment of Nigerians and other foreign nationals and protection against violence regardless of their nationality.
Onyekwelu also accused that some South African politicians were using anti-foreigner sentiments to gain political support.
Nigerians and other African migrants were sometimes made scapegoats during election campaigns, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and discrimination, he said.
Foreign nationals had become “collateral victims” of political campaigns driven by anti-immigrant sentiment, he said.
