NIGERIAN president Muhammadu Buhari has on Tuesday sent a special envoy to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to share concerns about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
Buhari made the announcement on his official Twitter handle and said the role of envoy is to probe the South African government on what action were they taking to avert the crisis.
“I am sending a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa to share our deep concern about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa, and to ensure that the South African Government is doing everything within its power in this regard, “the statement read.
The xenophobic attacks started by South Africans have degenerated into a ‘war’ as Nigerians are retaliating by destroying South African owned shops in Nigeria.
A video of Nigerians burning Shoprite in Nigeria has gone viral on social media.
The attacks were initially aimed at Zambian truck drivers but it has now spread to all other foreigners hence making the attacks similar to the attacks of 2008 and 2015 which saw at least 60 people dying in South Africa.
On Monday, Zambian government urged its citizens not to travel to South Africa until security matters are resolved.
The Minister of Transport and Communications in Zambia, Mutotwe L. Kafwaya issued a statement urging motorists to desist from travelling to South Africa up until security matters are resolved.
“The government of the Republic of Zambia wishes to caution all Zambian Truck owners, Bus owners and Drivers to:
“1) With immediate effect, avoid traveling to South Africa until security situation improves.”
“2) Pack all trucks which are currently in that country in safe and secure designated places that the authorities in that country may recommend until the security situation improves.,” part of the statement read.
South Africa Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula is on record saying the root cause of the attacks is oversupply of undocumented foreign drivers.
“Oversupply of foreign drivers in the industry and that some of the drivers are undocumented,” he said.
