7 Bangladeshis injured in SA attack

At least seven Bangladeshi expatriates were injured and some four of their shops burnt in an attack by local miscreants at Thokoza of Johannesburg in South Africa on Saturday night.

“Local goons forcibly entered into the shops owned by Bangladeshis in Thokoza last night (Saturday) and beat the Bangladeshis who were present at that time,” Sheikh Mizan, a Bangladeshi, informed The Daily Star through a facebook message today.

Earlier, over 100 Bangladeshi expatriates were injured and around 100 of their shops looted in separate attacks in Johannesburg and Durban last week. Mizan’s shop was attacked and looted at that time.

Md Daud Ali, deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh mission in Pretoria, said the situation in South Africa is not yet normal.

“In Durban and Johannesburg area, all most all the shops are closed,” he informed The Daily Star through an e-mail.

Daud Ali, however, claimed that about 10 to 15 Bangladeshi owned shops were looted in Johannesburg and several others in Durban area last week.

“It is estimated that about 70-75 Bangladeshis are affected in that area. A number of people mostly Pakistanis, Indian, Chinese and other nationals died during the last two or three days' violence. So far no Bangladeshi is physically hurt during the violence,” he claimed.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria remained in contact with the Bangladeshi community and advised them to be in safe site and keep their shops closed for the time being in Durban and Johannesburg areas, Daud Ali added.

Around 60,000 to 70,000 Bangladeshi expatriates are currently living in South Africa.

In the meantime, South African President Jacob Zuma visited a refugee camp in the port city of Durban after a fresh outbreak of anti-foreigner violence on Saturday, reported BBC.

He told that it went against South African values and he would bring an end to it.

In a statement, Zuma said, "These attacks go against everything we believe in. The majority of South Africans love peace and good relations with their brothers and sisters in the continent."

Addressing the migrants, who were planning to return to their home countries, Zuma said: "Those who want to go home; you are welcome to return when the violence stops."