South Africa closes embassy in Nigeria after reprisal attacks

South Africa has temporarily shut down its embassy in Nigeria following violence against South African businesses in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg.

South African Foreign Affairs Minister, Naledi Pandor, who made this known to newsmen on Thursday, said that the reported attacks on South African businesses led to the decision to close down the embassy temporarily.

“There is Afrophobia we are sensing that exists, there is resentment and we need to address that,” Naledi said .

Foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele also confirmed that the diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Abuja have been closed since Wednesday.