Xenophobia: Reps seek compensation as S-African businesses shut down

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Cynthia Alo & Kafayat Kokumo ABUJA — The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the human and economic losses suffered by Nigerians in recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, just as the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, NICASA, Mr Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed that South Africans are beginning to feel the economic consequences of attacks on foreign-owned businesses.“Nigerians residing lawfully in the Republic of South Africa have, for nearly two decades, remained recurrent targets of xenophobic violence characterised by killings, mob attacks, physical assaults, arson, looting of businesses, destruction of properties, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns principally directed at African migrants,” he said.

Moving the motion, Benson recalled Nigeria’s pivotal role in the anti-apartheid struggle, noting that the country committed substantial diplomatic, financial and political resources to South Africa’s liberation.