The President-General of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, has accused South African politicians of fuelling xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals for political gains.
Nwobi made the allegation against the backdrop of recent attacks reported in Durban, Johannesburg and East London, where several foreigners, including Nigerians, were affected.
Speaking in an interview, the legal practitioner said it had become a recurring pattern for Nigerians to be targeted without provocation during periods of heightened political activity.
“As you know, this is an election year. Politicians often look for quick ways to gain support, and one of the easiest tactics is to shift blame for unemployment and economic hardship to foreigners, which is not true,” he said.
He added that the union had consistently condemned attacks on Nigerians and their businesses, noting that such incidents were becoming more frequent and organised.
Nwobi also lamented that the situation had escalated beyond initial claims that only undocumented migrants were being targeted, warning that all foreigners were now at risk.
“What we are seeing now are groups carrying out vigilante-style operations. They are not law enforcement agents, yet they attack people and businesses, causing serious harm to our nationals,” he said.
He further decried what he described as a disregard for Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the apartheid era, adding that attacks had extended to public spaces, including hospitals and schools.
The NUSA leader called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to urgently intervene and protect Nigerians in the country.
Reacting, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, attributed the recent tension to controversies surrounding the installation of an Igbo traditional ruler in South Africa, adding that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria was engaging local authorities and that the situation had been brought under control.
