In the wake of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by South Africans, an exclusive report by The Guardian has revealed how notable cities like Hillbrow become dungeons of social vices, where Nigerian migrants become victims of crime lords.
The report, which claimed that Hillbrow, a city close to Johannesburg, is where Nigerians settlers "begin their hustle in South Africa," added that there are no few minutes passing without the sound of screaming sirens or gunshots and police raids.
Legit.ng gathers that in the city, many of the houses are empty and derelict, as rent is cheap, making it possible for Nigerian settlers to quickly establish their living and business engagement.
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A Nigerian, Felix Ndukwe, who is also an academic in one of the top South African universities, likens the city to ghetto place, Ajegunle in Lagos.
He said the community is ridden with social vices, where crimes like stealing, daylight robbery, house burgling can be perpetrated without nobody to help, even when the victims calls for help at a close distance.
He said: "However, there are so many Nigerians conducting genuine business in that area, but it’s not a safe place to go. As a normal person, you are not safe in Hillbrow, unless you are part of that society."
On the rise of the xenophobic attacks, especially against Nigerians, the university don said the fear that foreigners are taking their jobs led to most of the attacks by the youths of South Africa.
He said: “South Africans think other Africans are taking their jobs and this creates some form of anger against foreigners in the country. Several researches have identified this as one of the major causes of xenophobia in the country.
"On the other hand, the role of our brothers in drug dealing and prostitution racketeering means that Nigerians are easy targets of such xenophobic attacks.”
Another Nigerian, Akinola Ajenifuja, corroborating Ndukwe's claims, added: "Most South Africans, after the severely lengthy apartheid regime, which locked them in and kept them away from contact with other African nationals, have been finding it extremely difficult to relate and be receptive to foreigners.”
Ajenifuja, who is a graduate of theatre arts from one of the South African universities, also added that: "It shouldn’t surprise you that even if foreigners leave South Africa, the many years of systemic divisions among the ethnic groups in the country will keep them divided. Apartheid, therefore, remains the numero uno foundational reason for most attacks."
“There is a lack of drive amongst South Africans and are comfortable with self-pity and entitlement mentality. Unlike visitors, South African citizens seem extremely reliant on government to do virtually everything.
"Other African nations, however, have become used to finding a way out of dire situations, due to ineptitude of their leadership. So, when other African nationals get to South Africa, they quickly begin to enjoy the benefit of a working society.”
"Another reason for enmity could be the way foreign men treat South African women. Women, who have, at any time, enjoyed the care and respect that foreign nationals give them, scarcely would admire their own type of men.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the South African government had promised to do everything to protect Nigerians from xenophobic attacks as violence in the country became subject of global concerns.
Recently, there had been report of attacks on foreigners in South Africa with Nigeria specifically calling on the African Union to look into these issues.
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Source: Legit.ng
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