South Africa Is Now Hell for Us – Nigerians

South Africa has turned hell on earth, where non Zulu-speaking foreigners are being lynched by mobs.

The country has continued to witness xenophobic attacks on foreigners, including Nigerians,.

Some traumatized Nigerians living in South Africa, who on Wednesday spoke with the Daily Times, expressed fears for their lives and pleaded for an urgent action from the Nigerian government.

The attacks followed a statement credited to the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, that foreigners should return home. He was reported as saying: “We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries.”

The KwaZulu-Natal government in South Africa has distanced the king from the violence.

But the mob attacks have continued unabated.

By yesterday, Nigerians were reported to be defending themselves with machetes and clubs.

“There has been massive attack against foreigners in Durban based on what Zulu King said that all foreigners must leave South Africa,” a Nigerian told Daily Times.

About 10 Nigerians were feared to have been killed.

“Financially, all foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have been affected in their businesses because shops are being looted and some were displaced from their houses,” another Nigerian said.

He added: “The situation changed on Tuesday night because Nigerians at Point Street in Durban too got ready with weapons to defend themselves but till now nobody has been able to operate in Durban city centres for businesses.”

The South African indigenes refused any peace talk, insisting that all foreigners must go back home.

As at Wednesday, the attacks had spread to city centre in Johannesburg but it was controlled.

Anybody that cannot speak Zulu language is regarded as foreigner, according to a female Nigerian undergoing postgraduate studies in that country.

“Xenophobic attack is an ongoing thing here in South Africa. Even those who are citizens born in Nigeria are regarded as foreigners. They hate foreigners with a passion,” she added.

Yet another Nigerian, who sought anonymity citing security fears, said: “It is a very bad situation. Many are already going back to their countries. I am aware of a family in which the mother is a South African while the father is a Congolese. They were displaced from their residence.”

A statement from a Nigerian student in that country, forwarded to the Daily Times read: “Massive xenophobic attack: group of South African students already started by killing 3 (three) Congolese students, 2 Nigerians,1 Gabonese today around 10:00 Am in Johannesburg. Avoid using public transport specially train, taxi etc…Please share this warning with friends and foreigners, families living in South Africa specially in Johannesburg”

In a manner that suggested that the attacks are premeditated, a statement had made the rounds among foreigners before the violence broke out.

It read: “Pliz be warned! Wednesday 8 April 2015 has been set as the day to attack foreigners in Durban and surrounding areas, therefore, avoid speaking on fone in taxis buses trains and public spaces. Remember it’s for your own safety. Be safe. The xenophobic attack is being orchestrated by the Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini. He has been campaigning for deportation of all foreigners in South Africa as he said they (are) enjoying and exploiting the wealth that is supposed to be for South Africans ONLY.”

Yet another statement read: “WARNING:

Massive Xenophobic attack secretly planned for this coming Wednesday 08/04/2015. By different South African communities around Cape Town.

Avoid using public transport specially train, taxi etc… Stay away from isolated areas, don’t walk around townships. Please share this warning with friends and foreigners families living in South Africa specially in Cape Town.”

The KwaZulu-Natal government had recently said that while it had been difficult to trace the source of the xenophobic attacks, the king couldn’t be held responsible for the violence.

A community Safety Department spokesperson Sipho Khumalo said Zwelithini was merely alarmed by the number of illegal entries into the country.

Khumalo said the Zulu king was calling on government to investigate foreigners wanted for crimes in their own countries.

“The king never asked anyone to attack our brothers from Africa. He was merely saying government needs to attend to this thing and sort out this problem.”

Twice in the past few weeks the Zulu monarch has been quoted calling on foreigners to leave South Africa as they were causing problems in the country.

The department said the call was never meant to incite violence.