A 34 year-old Nigerian, Samuel Nkennaya, has been killed
while another Nigerian, Chinonso Nwudo is in critical condition in South Africa
following a mob attack.
Mr Victor Ayanfe-Oyebanjo, Secretary of Mpumalanga Province
branch of the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) disclosed this in a
statement on Tuesday.
He said that Nkennaya and Nwudo were attacked following
accusations that both men kidnapped Chinonye, a six year-old girl, who unknown
to their attackers was Nwudo’s daughter.
“It all started when Nwudo took his six years-old daughter,
Chinonye, to visit Nkennaya at White River town in the evening of April 27.
“Later, Nwudo and Nkennaya proceeded to buy food for Nwudo’s
daughter, Chinonye, at KFC restaurant in the area.
Ayanfe-Oyebanjo said shortly after buying the food that some
bystanders raised false alarm alleging that both men kidnapped the six year-old
girl.
“Thereafter, the community did not bother to ask questions
and immediately mobbed the two Nigerians.
“While they were being attacked, Nwudo kept on shouting that
the girl was his daughter and pleaded that they speak to his South African wife
to confirm his claim – which actually saved his life.
“The Police later intervened and called for backup to rescue
the victims. Nkennaya died at the hospital on April 28 while Nwudo is in
critical health condition,” he said.
Ayanfe-Oyebanjo said that a week before the incident that
two South Africans were murdered for allegedly kidnapping a child in the same
area.
He said a murder case has been opened at the White River
Police station and pleaded on Nigerians in the province to remain calm in the
wake of the unprovoked attacks.
“The incident has been reported to NUSA’s national
secretariat, while the union is currently seeking redress to ensure that the
culprits are brought to book,” he said.
Mr Adetola Olubajo, the President of NUSA confirmed the
killing to newsmen.
Speaking, the wife of Chinonso Nwudo, Mrs Zanele
Skhosana-Nwudo, a South African national also confirmed the incident to newsmen
via telephone from Mpumalanga Province.
According to her, Chinonye had been traumatized by the
incident and was currently undergoing counseling in an undisclosed hospital.
“They (attackers) did not bother to ask her anything and
didn’t even bother to remove her from the scene before beating her dad (Nwodu)
unconscious. Chinonye’s dad is in the hospital while her uncle (Nkennaya) is
dead,” she said amid tears.
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