The death toll of Nigerians killed in South
Africa has continued to climb with two young Nigerians being the latest
victims.
Up to 800,000 Nigerians, mostly young people,
reside in South Africa, according to unofficial estimates.
Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South
Africa Mr. Habib Miller told NAN in a telephone interview that two additional
Nigerians were killed in South Africa in the past eight days.
Miller, who spoke from Pretoria, South Africa,
identified the latest victims as Francis Ochuba, a native of Ngodo community in
the Umnneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
He named the other victim as Chidi Ibebuike, a
native of Uturu in the Isikwuato Local Government Area also in Abia State.
“Ochuba, a property owner, was shot dead
alongside his estate agent, a female South African on May 5. They were shot
dead as they visited the tenant occupying Ochuba’s house to collect rent.
“The incident occurred in Central Johannesburg
and Ibebuike was shot dead at the entrance to his house at Hazyview in
Mpumalanga on May 13.
“Ibebuike’s car was subsequently, snatched by
yet-to-be identified gunmen.
“Nigeria Union Chairman in Mpumalanga Province
Mr. Amadi and other compatriots have reported the incident to the South African
police authorities and investigation is underway.”
Miller said the latest killings came on the heels
of the murder of ThankGod Okoro, a native of Ogbaku in the Agwu Local
Government Area of Enugu State on April 9 and that of Clement Nwaogu, a native
of Njikoka in Anambra State on April 22.
He noted that Okoro was reportedly shot dead by a
member of the South African Police Flying Squad at Florida in Johannesburg.
Nwaogu was burnt alive by a mob in Rustenburg in the North West Province.
The spokesman said a violent group in Rustenburg
had earlier given Nigerians notice to vacate the area or get killed.
He said since the order was issued, there had
been numerous cases of Nigerians being kidnapped with ransom paid to their
abductors.
“The incessant looting and killings in the area,
prompted 14 Nigerians to protest the injustice and the lack of police
protection from the South African Police.
“The 14 Nigerians were attested and had been
detained since January 21 in Rustenburg.
“The extra-judicial killing of Nigerians in South
Africa is, however, a stark contrast to the general goodwill and protection
South Africans and their businesses enjoy in Nigeria.
“There has been no record of looting of South
African businesses in Nigeria.
“While South African companies transfer billions
of dollars in profit made from doing business in Nigeria, Nigerians in South
Africa are sending body bags of murdered breadwinners back home to Nigeria to
dejected families,” Miller said.
source : NAN
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