Xenophobia: South African mob burns another Nigerian alive

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Africa has been thrown into mourning.

They have lost yet another Nigerian to the cold hand of an angry mob.

Clement Nwaogu, was allegedly burnt alive by a mob in the latest xenophobia attack in South Africa.

The Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Habib Miller, confirmed the alleged killing from Pretoria.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria that the victim, a native of Njikoka in Anambra and an upholsterer in South Africa, was attacked and killed by a mob in Rustenburg, North West Province.

Miller said that the victim was murdered in cold blood over his accent and habit, which the mobsters supposedly found offensive.

“The mob descended on him like a common criminal with all sorts of dangerous weapons in the presence of South African police officers.

“Eyewitnesses say the victim beckoned for help from the police to intervene and help him, but they turned a blind eye.

“When Nwaogu could no longer persevere, he ran for safety; the mob chased and caught him, poured petrol on him and set him ablaze,” he said.

Miller said that the mob then left Nwaogu when they thought he had died.

The spokesman said that shortly after the mob left Nwaogu that some passersby called emergency personnel, who later took the victim’s charred body to the hospital.

“The eyewitnesses feeling that the victim was still alive called for help; unfortunately, Nwaogu could not survive the ordeal and died at Job Shimankane Hospital in Rustenburg,” he said.

It is the second death reported within two weeks.

According to Miller, 14 other Nigerians, who protested the killing of a fellow citizen in that country’s North West Province in February are still in detention.

Also Read: Another Nigerian Allegedly Killed By South African Police

He said the police officers murdered the Nigerian in cold blood on Dec. 17 after failing to extort money from the victim.

Miller said that the police officers had since been released on bail while those who protested the killing were still languishing in detention.