Xenophobia: South Africa documenting victims, working on compensation – Govt official in Calabar

Dr Matodzi Rathumbu, the Head of the Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department, Limpopo Provincial Government, South Africa, has expressed regret over the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in the country, saying efforts are underway to document victims and address losses suffered during the violence.

The government representative, who responded to questions from the audience at the ongoing sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network, AsFNET, meeting in Calabar, said the South African government had reached out to countries whose citizens were affected by the attacks.

He said the government had documented businesses destroyed, property losses, deaths and other forms of violence suffered by foreign nationals during the incidents.

He added that the government was taking steps to address the concerns raised by affected countries and prevent a recurrence of the attacks.

“South Africa has reached out to brotherly African countries over the violent xenophobic attacks on their citizens in our country.

“We are sorry over the unfortunate attacks. We are working on new and easier immigration rules, as well as documenting the victims,” he said.

The representative also disclosed that the South African government was reviewing immigration procedures to address challenges faced by foreign nationals.

In his reaction, Governor Bassey Otu, the chief host, welcomed the South African representative and acknowledged the efforts of President Cyril Ramaphosa towards addressing tensions arising from immigration and xenophobic attacks.

Otu also presented gifts on behalf of the Cross River State Government to the South African representative and other delegates from Tanzania, Comoros, Kenya, The Gambia and other African countries, as well as representatives of Nigerian states showcasing their economic potential at the event.