#Xenophobia: Looting of shops owned by Foreigners continues in South Africa; 300 Nigerians register for Evacuation

Looting of shops owned by foreigners seem not to be ending any time soon in South Africa as the country’s police announced that it arrested 74 persons in Katlehong on Thursday, September 5, bringing the total number of arrests since the violence erupted in Johannesburg to 497.

Mathapelo Peters, South African police spokesperson confirmed that the looting of shops owned by foreigners which began on Sunday, September 1, have continued till date. He stated that they are on high alert and monitoring the situation.

Peter also said that 11 people have been killed since the xenophobic attack and looting of shops began in the former apartheid country. He, however, affirmed that only 7 deaths were directly linked to the incidents of violence which the police is investigating.

It was further learnt that over 300 Nigerians have registered for evacuation from South Africa following the Federal government’s approval of airlifting Nigerians who want to leave the country for free.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye confirmed the number of Nigerians that have registered for evacuation and also told Punch that the time and date of departure would be disclosed later.