South Africa closed its embassy in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos after a spate of attacks on SA businesses in response to anti-foreigner
violence in South Africa, the government said on Thursday.
The embassy temporarily closed out of concern for the safety of its staff, said
foreign affairs spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele.
“We have been in communication with the Nigerian government and we have been assured of the protection of the businesses belonging to South Africa,” Ngqengelele told local broadcaster eNCA.
The vandals attacked numerous South African-owned businesses in Nigeria, including telecom giant MTN, supermarket chain Shoprite and clothing retailer PEP, reports DPA.
The violence broke out in reprisal for a wave of attacks at the weekend against foreign African nationals in Gauteng.
Botswana, meanwhile, issued a travel advisory warning its
citizens to “exercise extreme caution” and remain vigilant at all times in South Africa.
Five people were killed and more than 300 people have been arrested since the violence erupted, in which shops were looted and vehicles torched in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The African Union, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and President Cyril Ramaphosa have all condemned the xenophobic violence.
In Nigeria, the reprisal attacks took place in Lagos, as well as the capital Abuja, Ibadan and Uyo, Nigeria’s government said.
Numerous South African-owned businesses have closed and been placed under police protection.
Thousands of students on Wednesday protested in
Zambia’s capital Lusaka, where they attempted to attack and loot several South African
businesses.