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Following protests by Nigerians against xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the country has closed its consulate in Lagos.
This was was disclosed by the country’s Consul-General in Nigeria, Sam Monaisa, in a statement to the South African Business Forum.
He accused Nigerians of “using the social media to blow an already tensed situation in South Africa out of proportion and stoking emotions.”
This was why Nigerians believed that their compatriots were being killed daily in South Africa, he said.
According to him, the closure would remain in force until Thursday.
Although the situation in Durban has calmed down, he was concerned about the Nigerians that were being repatriated.
He warned members of SABF, to stay alert and not move around unnecessarily.
South African business concerns and citizens became targets of threats and acts of retaliation whenever xenophobic attacks occurred in South Africa, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s cabinet has warned that companies operating in the rest of Africa might be targeted, just as Johannesburg-based Sasol Ltd. announced it was repatriating South African employees working on projects in Mozambique for their own safety.