Aniefiok Christopher
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of being complicit in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa for not taking action against attackers of nationals of African countries.
Rufai Oseni, an ace analyst with ARISE TV speaking during What is trending with Ojy Okpe on Tuesday, June 30, blamed the Presidency for docility in nipping the attacks in the bud and for not arresting and trying the leaders of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, noting ”Has the government not known them?”
This is as protesters are filing past streets in Johannesburg, Durban and other cities on Tuesday against illegal immigrants to leave the country in keeping with the June 30 deadline.
Though Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday, Oseni berated the President for saying that some South Africans have the right to protest against illegal immigrants, noting that ”the people have no right to protest against illegal immigrants when there are legitimate bodies to handle that.”
According to him, ‘‘South Africa has legal bodies and security agencies to handle illegal immigration. Why does the government admit that the people have a right to protest?
”It is the protests that have contributed to upsurge in violence, vandalism and murder of innocent people. When South Africans finished attacking the foreign Africans, they will turn against themselves and fight.”
He recalled ”Last time, US President Donald Trump accused President Ramaphosa of genocide against the Whites in South Africa. He rushed to White House to defend himself. I saw him sitting, and nodding his head while Trump falsely accused him of the genocide.”
”I tell you that the unity and integration of African Union are in jeopardy. AU is sitting and watching without calling for a stoppage of the attacks. Tomorrow, the body will call on other members to join hands in fighting any oppression against any of its members.
”For the Nigerian killed in South Africa, I tell you that the blood of Big Joe will hunt his killers. Why has South African Government not fished out the killers of the Nigerian man?”
Nigerian trader killed in South Africa
However, a Nigerian businessman popularly known as Big Joe has reportedly been shot dead outside his shop in Witbank (Emalahleni), Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
The targeted attack comes amid growing fears over rising anti-foreigner tensions in parts of the country.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victim was attacked by unidentified gunmen while standing outside his business premises.
The assailants reportedly opened fire multiple times before fleeing the scene, sparking widespread anxiety within the expatriate community.
Videos circulating on social media showed the businessman lying in a pool of blood moments after the shooting as residents and fellow traders rushed to the scene.
He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, confirmed the death of the businessman and another Nigerian in South Africa ahead of the June 30 xenophobic protest.
Police redeployed as protests rock cities
Already, Police officers have been deployed across South Africa because of fears that anti-immigration protests could turn violent as President Cyril Ramaphosa urged demonstrators to refrain from “intimidation, threats or ultimatums”.
The protests mark an unofficial deadline set by campaigners for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
Many have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.
One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was “happy to be going back” but “heartbroken” to be leaving behind four young children.
Johannesburg, where one of the protests is taking place, is unusually quiet. Shops in the city centre are closed, while police visibility is high on major streets.
Police said that five people were arrested in Johannesburg’s biggest township, Soweto, for allegedly looting a foreign-owned shop.
Five people were also arrested for allegedly breaking into a tuck shop in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal province.
Many businesses in central Durban, the main city in the province, are also shut.
