TUC calls for stringent measures against South Africa on xenophobic attacks

The Trade Union Congress on Wednesday called for stringent diplomatic measures against South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals living and doing business the country.
Its President, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary-General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, commenting in Lagos, described the incident as unfortunate.
The union leaders said: “The videos and pictures detailing graphic and gory treatments meted out to the non-natives are disturbing.”
Olaleye and Ozigi, in a statement, said the attitude displayed by the South Africans suggested that they had forgot the sacrifices Nigeria and other African countries made to achieve their freedom from apartheid.
He said: “The Nigerian Government must adopt stringent diplomatic measures, and also urge other African countries to follow suit.
“Nigeria is a country that accommodates all and sundry; South African companies own several multi-billion dollars investments on our soils.
“Yet, we co-exist in spite of all the aggression against our people in their home country.”
They called for immediate evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa, saying: “It is the government’s responsibility to protect its nationals both internal and external.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that several shops and businesses were looted and burnt down in a riot that broke out in a neighbourhood in Johannesburg on September 1.
Also, many foreign-owned businesses were targeted in the violence.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on September 3 dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa his deep concerns over the unabated attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29.
NAN reports that South Africans commenced fresh attacks, looting and burning of businesses and properties belonging to Nigerians and other nationals and in the process killed three people.