Two Nigerians have been reportedly murdered on Thursday,
April 6, 2017, during a mob attack on immigrants in Polokwane, Limpopo
Province, South Africa.
April 6, 2017, during a mob attack on immigrants in Polokwane, Limpopo
Province, South Africa.
While Nigerian high commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Martins
Cobham, affirmed the death of a Nigerian who was a mechanic known as Razak
Ajao, one Ralph Nwachukwu, also a Nigerian residing in South Africa, claimed another
Nigerian was also killed that same yesterday.
Cobham, affirmed the death of a Nigerian who was a mechanic known as Razak
Ajao, one Ralph Nwachukwu, also a Nigerian residing in South Africa, claimed another
Nigerian was also killed that same yesterday.
Cobham said: “I can
confirm that a Nigerian, Razak Ajao, an auto mechanic was killed and four
others injured.
confirm that a Nigerian, Razak Ajao, an auto mechanic was killed and four
others injured.
“The Nigerian mission
has formally registered a protest to the South African ministry of foreign
affairs on this sad incident.
has formally registered a protest to the South African ministry of foreign
affairs on this sad incident.
“The ministry said
they would get back to the mission and that is the situation we are now.
they would get back to the mission and that is the situation we are now.
“Meanwhile, the
mission is meeting with officials of Nigeria Union on the incident to decide on
the next line of action.
mission is meeting with officials of Nigeria Union on the incident to decide on
the next line of action.
“We will continue to
monitor the situation and keep you informed.”
monitor the situation and keep you informed.”
He also said that the commission had also reported the bouts
to the South African police.
to the South African police.
According to Ralph Nwachukwu, a Nigerian based in the
country, could not provide the identity of the other victim, but said the
attack began when Nigerians residing in that area were holding a meeting.
country, could not provide the identity of the other victim, but said the
attack began when Nigerians residing in that area were holding a meeting.
Nwachukwu said: “They
held a meeting on Tuesday and today (Thursday) was supposed to be a follow up.
held a meeting on Tuesday and today (Thursday) was supposed to be a follow up.
“It was at the peak of
the meeting that the South African taxi drivers swooped on them and began to
attack them with dangerous weapons that led to the death of two while many
others were seriously injured.”
the meeting that the South African taxi drivers swooped on them and began to
attack them with dangerous weapons that led to the death of two while many
others were seriously injured.”
Nwachukwu said Nigerians, in process of registering their grievance,
attempted to report the issue to the police station but were driven out by the
commander at the station instead of listening to them.
attempted to report the issue to the police station but were driven out by the
commander at the station instead of listening to them.
Nwachukwu claimed that the station’s commander threatened to
shoot them if they refuse to leave the station.
shoot them if they refuse to leave the station.