Nigeria to hold talks with South Africa over xenophobic violence

A high-level delegation from Nigeria is expected in South Africa on Tuesday to discuss diplomatic relations between the two countries following recent xenophobic violence, News24 reports.

Discussions will be led by the Deputy Speaker of the South African National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli and his Nigerian counterpart, Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

Outbreaks of xenophobic violence were recently reported in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The violent attacks against foreigners began more than two weeks after residents burnt down the houses of suspected drug lords and brothel owners in Rosettenville and Pretoria.

According to Nigeria’s Punch newspaper, “more than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa over the past two years.”

The newspaper also added that there have been cases where police have killed defenseless Nigerians following suspicion of crime.

Nigerian lawmakers have reportedly accused their government of not “doing enough” to protect their citizens present in the southern African nation.