A fresh crisis may be underway as some indigenes of Keimoes and Upington areas of northern cape province in South Africa, have given Nigerians and other foreign national a 12-hour ultimatum to vacate their communities.
Adetola Olubajo, president of Nigeria Union in South Africa, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
According to Olubajo, the notice comes after an “ugly incident” that took place on Wednesday between a police officer and a Nigerian.
Olubajo said that the Nigerian man from Abakaliki in Ebonyi state, allegedly stabbed to death the police officer, Nico Visagie, during a disagreement.
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Olubajo disclosed also that details of the incident are still very sketchy, as the “major witness” was also stabbed multiple times and was still in critical condition at the hospital.
“After the horrific incident, the community members of Keimoes and environs went on rampage burning and destroying properties belonging to foreign nationals, Nigerians in particular,” he said.
“These attacks spread to Upington and Nigerians and other foreign nationals were also expelled from Upington.
“Prompt Police intervention this morning brought about calm but the situation is still tensed. Some locals were arrested by the police for public disturbance and malicious damage to properties.
“They appeared in a magistrates’ court this morning for bail hearing.”
He added that the suspect who stabbed the police officer had been arrested and would appear in court on or before Monday.
“We commend the swift intervention of the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the arrest of the suspect is a welcome development,” he said.
“We hope the police will continue to maintain law and order in the area.”
