Consulate assures Nigerians traders in S/Africa of safety

The attention of the Consulate-General of Nigeria has been drawn to a fire incident which occurred at the Yeoville market on 21st June 2022. Preliminary report indicates that twenty-four (24) shops belonging to foreign nationals were destroyed by fire, including two (2) Nigerian-own shops. The Consulate General is saddened by the development as the sources of livelihood of toiling families have been destroyed by the incident.

A delegation of the Consulate-General has already visited the scene of the incident to assess the extent of damage and commiserate with victims. The delegation also used the opportunity of the visit to address members of the Nigerian Community living within the vicinity of Yeoville and urged them to exercise restraint, remain calm and low-abiding, and to allow South African authorities to conduct investigation Into the incident with a view to establishing the immediate and remote causes of the fire outbreak.

The Consulate General is confident of the capacity of the South African Government to protect the lives and property of all persons living in the country. However, the Mission wishes to renew its earlier calls for the reinforcement of security in areas with significant population of foreign nationals in view of the recent threats of attacks by “Operation Dudula”.