Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the South African towns of Keimoes and Upington in Northern Cape Province have been told to vacate the areas within 12 hours by locals.
The ultimatum was issued Thursday morning following an ugly incident that took place on Wednesday between a police officer and a Nigerian man.
President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.
According to him, the Nigerian man, an indigene of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, allegedly stabbed to death the police officer, Nico Visagie, during a disagreement at 5 a.m. local time.
Olubajo added that details of the disagreement were still not very clear as the major witness was also stabbed multiple times and was still in critical condition at the hospital.
“After the horrific incident, the community members of Keimoes and environs went on rampage burning and destroying properties belonging to foreign nationals, Nigerians in particular.
“These attacks spread to Upington and Nigerians and other foreign nationals were also expelled from Upington.
“Prompt Police intervention this morning brought about calm but the situation is still tensed. Some locals were arrested by the police for public disturbance and malicious damage to properties.
“They appeared in a magistrates’ court this morning for bail hearing,’’ he stated.
Olubajo added that the suspect who stabbed the police officer had been arrested and would appear in court on or before next Monday.
“We commend the swift intervention of the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the arrest of the suspect is a welcome development.
“We hope the police will continue to maintain law and order in the area,’’ Olubajo said.
Keimoes is a town in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It lies on the Orange River and is about halfway between Upington and Kakamas.
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