KABOOM!!! South Africa shuts its embassy in Nigeria amid violent protests

South Africa has closed its embassy in Nigeria as tensions between the two nations rise following xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg.

The diplomatic escalation comes after South African businesses, including telecoms giant MTN and supermarket chain Shoprite, closed stores in Nigeria after coming under attack from rioters.

Lunga Ngqengelele, a spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, said the embassy was closed over fears for staff safety, but that the High Commission has not suffered any damage.

Civil unrest began in South Africa, with xenophobic violence against immigrants and foreign businesses. At least 15 people are reported to have been killed, and 423 people suspected of being involved in the attacks have been arrested.

Earlier this week, violence and looting began in Nigeria and Zambia in retaliation, as rioters targeted South African-owned businesses.

Witnesses say they saw vandals in Nigeria smashing into the offices of MTN - and in Zambia, students marched to South Africa's embassy in the capital of Lusaka.

Riots have spread to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's second-largest city Lubumbashi, where protesters have gathered outside the South African consulate and looted a South African shop, according to witnesses.

WHEN ON WEB VIEW, SEE OUR TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BAR FOR LIVE STREAM NEWS CHANNELS (GLOBAL AND NIGERIAN )

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK  

> facebook Global audience 

> facebook Nigerian audience  

FOLLOW US ON:

> The Forefront on Twitter

>{Instagram: the_forefront_nigeria }

Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)

 >  facebook personal account 

 > facebook  (fan page) 

 > twitter

Share this post now with others on social media. Use media options below.