6 Nigerian-owned guest houses burnt down in South Africa - Union

macfranc007 January 12, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Nnenna Ibeh

- Six guest houses belonging to some Nigerians living in South Africa have been burnt down

- The guest houses were razed in a fresh attack against the owners

- The attackers reportedly beat a woman and her child during the attack

The Nigerian Union in South Africa say six guest houses owned by their members were burnt during attacks against Nigerians in Rustenburg, North West Province of South Africa.

Paul Nwanedo, chairman of the union in the Province, told the News Agency of Nigeria on the telephone from Rustenburg, on Thursday, January 11, that the attackers beat a woman and her child.

"These attacks began on Sunday. Four Nigerians are in critical condition in the hospital. We also received a report that the Taxi drivers also beat a Nigerian woman and her child.

“We can also confirm that six guest houses belonging to our people were burnt by the drivers.

“We have not recorded any incident today. We have advised our people to remain indoors and ensure their safety.

“As we speak, stakeholders comprising the police, taxi drivers and senior government officials are still in a meeting. The union was not allowed to be part of the meeting," Nwanedo said.

The chairman said that the union was still taking stock of losses by Nigerians and would communicate to appropriate federal government representatives in South Africa.

NAN learned that the taxi drivers went on the rampage following allegations that Nigerians sold drug to a gang that attacked their members.

They also alleged that a Nigerian abducted and abused a 16-year-old South African girl.

Nwando said the allegations were false and spurious.

“Our investigation so far showed that these allegations are false. No Nigerian has been arrested for alleged abduction or abuse. The allegation of drug selling to the gang is also untrue," he said.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Nigerian community in South Africa said four members were in critical condition in the hospital while some shops had been burnt in renewed attacks by South Africans.

Paul Nwanedo, chairman, Nigerian Union, North West Province chapter stated that the attacks against Nigerians began on Sunday, January 7.

Nwanedo said that four Nigerians caught by taxi drivers were beaten and are in critical condition in the hospital while some shops belonging to Nigerians had been burnt.

Spokesman of the police in Rustenburg, Brig-Gen. Sabata Mokgwabone, said the reasons for the violent protest was unclear but confirmed that the burnt houses are those occupied by foreign nationals.

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