South Africa, on Thursday, shut down its diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Lagos following violence against South African businesses in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores, especially those of Nigerians in Johannesburg.
The foreign ministry, spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said that after receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians, they decided to temporarily close while they are assessing the situation, adding the missions were shut yesterday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor told Reuters that South Africa was in constant contact with Nigerian authorities to try to restore calm.
She added there is no provision in local law for compensation for damage caused in the attacks.
“There is an Afrophobia we are sensing that exists, there is resentment and we need to address that,” Pandor said on the sidelines of a continental economic conference in Cape Town.
