Fake videos and comments from South African officials may have inadvertently fueled the recent spate of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, living in the rainbow country, which has claimed several lives and led to the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.
In a video making the rounds on the social media posted by Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister and prominent commentator, he whipped up fears and sentiment on the “mass murder of Nigerians”.
In the video, a South African former deputy police minister, Bongani Mkongi, was seen “trying to justify the killing of Nigerians” and calling on his fellow South Africans to take back their country from immigrants. However, it was filmed back in 2017 and Mkongi is no longer a minister.
READ ALSO:Solanke re-joins Renaissance Capital as Director, Frontier SSA Analyst
Even with several thousands of kilometers separating them, Nigerians and South Africans have continued to spew hate speech and engage each other on the social media as a result of the recent xenophobic attack that has rocked the country.
A South African, Nostalgic Reaeboha Ratau, been engaging some Nigerians and calling them all sorts of names.
In one of her posts, she said it would be difficult for South Africans to address the different issues, bedeviling the country with the over-bearing influence of Nigerians hanging over them.
“How can we address our issues when we have you hanging over our heads? We are dealing with one demon at a time. Right now, the most urgent Satan to attend to is bloody Nigerians. We will deal with our people in our own time,” she wrote.
On his part, Babs Omisore preached tolerance and called for caution.
“This your post is not in consonance with what is happening to Nigerians presently. Yes, every nation has its dark side of bad behaviour, but your post doesn’t justify xenophobic attacks on Nigeria citizens. Remember, of all countries in Africa, we spent close to $60 billion in support of South Africa when in dire need of assistance. Personally too, a sibling of mine lost virtually all she invested in the last 10 years over there three days ago. So, why are we like this?” he asked.
