afrol News, 28 May - Nigeria will press for compensation from the South African government, for its citizens victimised and chased away from their homes in the xenophobic violence that broke out two and half weeks ago.

At least 56 people have been reported dead and tens of thousands left homeless, mainly in South Africa's Gauteng province, since the attacks started. The situation has calmed down since humanitarian crisis agencies took centre stage in the country.

Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, announced late yesterday that his government would press South Africa for compensation for its citizens affected by the xenophobic attacks in that country.

Mr Maduekwe said the Nigerian Mission in South Africa was busy compiling a comprehensive list of Nigerians who lost properties during a wave of violence and also to evaluate adequate amount sought for compensation.

The Nigerian government has condemned the unjustified attacks that have been perpetrated on fellow Africans.

He said violence on other Africans would be a major setback for Africa to integrate and form one unified block, calling for a better education of South Africans to realise that other Africans were instrumental to their independence.

The violence has now spread to the Eastern Cape Province with a Tuesday petrol bombing of a Chinese-owned business negating claims by government just a day before that the unrest was contained.

South African opposition parties have lashed on President Thabo Mbeki's political decision to attend an international conference in Tokyo, Japan while his country was in crisis, saying he should have stayed in the country to visit and console the victims.

The xenophobic attacks which are a result of South African citizens complaining that foreigners were to blame for high crime rate and lack of employment opportunities, have opened new questions on the integrity and capability of South Africa in hosting the 2010 World Cup as well as a 'big brother' looked up by the smaller regional neighbours.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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