Somalia urges South African to protect citizens following killing of four Somalis

Somalia has called on South African government to protect its citizens following the killing of at least four Somalis in the ongoing unrest in some cities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement it was ‘concerned’ by reports of deaths of Somalis and urged South Africa to protect lives and property.

“Somalia calls on the South African government to exert all its efforts to protect Somali nationals from brutal acts, to ensure the safety of their lives, their shops and the preservation of their rights,” the statement read in part.

Four Somalis were killed in the KwaZulu-Natal province in the last 24 hours amid a deteriorating security despite the deployment of military forces. Violence broke out last week in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma over corruption charges. Looting and destruction of property has been witnessed in these two regions since then. The South African government said Monday 72 people have since been killed.

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