A Nigerian trader popularly known as “Big Joe” has reportedly been shot dead outside his shop in Witbank, South Africa, in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian community in the country.
According to ARISE News, the businessman was attacked and fatally shot outside his business premises. Details surrounding the circumstances of the killing, including the identity of the assailants and the motive for the attack, were not immediately available.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions over anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, as the June 30 deadline issued by some extremist groups calling for foreign nationals to leave the country has expired.
ARISE News reported that the development has triggered protests in parts of Soweto and Johannesburg, raising fresh concerns over the safety of immigrants, including Nigerians, living and conducting business in South Africa.
Authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the killing, while investigations into the incident are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the security of foreign nationals in South Africa, where periodic outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence have claimed lives, displaced residents, and damaged businesses over the years.
Credit: AriseNews
