The latest wave of xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa, particularly Nigerians, is beginning to have ripple effects on South African-linked businesses operating in Nigeria.
Sources informed Saturday Telegraph that South African companies in Nigeria have strengthened security measures at their facilities across the country amid fears of possible reprisals by aggrieved Nigerians.
According to multiple sources, concerns over potential attacks have prompted the firms to engage additional security personnel to safeguard both their staff and operational facilities. Some of the security operatives are reportedly deployed in plain clothes, while visitors are now subjected to stricter screening processes before being granted access to the premises.
A source close to one of the organisations, who requested anonymity, disclosed that some employees now work remotely on selected days to minimise movement into company premises and reduce exposure to possible threats. “The situation is quite tense. Security has been tightened at all their offices nationwide.
“The management of the organisation does not want to take chances because of fears that angry Nigerians could attack their offices in reaction to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. “These are difficult times for South African companies operating in Nigeria. Security personnel now monitor activities closely, and access to the premises has become more restricted.
“We only got to the office to see strange faces among the security personnel and some were in uniform while others were not. “There was no notice to that effect but we got the message and we are all on the alert. “Workers are being placed on rotational schedules to reduce the number of staff physically present at any given time.
“Nobody is happy about what is happening in South Africa, but the companies want to avoid any situation that could result in loss of lives or destruction of property.
“These measures started about two weeks ago and may continue until tensions ease,” the source said. However, reacting to the claims, Senior Manager, External Relations at MTN Nigeria, Funso Aina, dismissed reports of heightened security and reduced staff presence at the company’s offices, describing them as false.
It would be recalled that a group of Nigerians staged a protest outside the company’s Abuja office on Monday. Similarly, MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv, denied receiving intelligence about any planned attacks on its offices, insisting that operations were continuing without disruptions.
