At least five Ethiopians were killed this week in Johannesburg as xenophobic attacks against immigrants has resurged in the South African nation.
According to information reaching APA from relatives of the victims in Ethiopia, four of them were killed within 48 hours.
On Monday this week, three were shot inside a McDonald’s in the Johannesburg Central Business District.
The suspect reportedly walked in and shot the victims inside the restaurant and they were pronounced dead at the scene, according to South African news sources.
The victims, between 30 and 45 years of age, were having breakfast when the gunman entered the restaurant and opened fire. The names of the victims are not released.
South African Police have reportedly opened a murder investigation and are searching for the gunmen.
Two days before this incident, another Ethiopian who is identified as Tofik was reportedly killed in the same city.
On Tuesday, another Ethiopian migrant was gunned down in Johannesburg. The incident was captured in a CCTV camera which was shared on X.
BSN reported “the victim standing near a street stall when a man approaches and opens fire at close range without warning. The victim collapses instantly as the gunman calmly walks away.”
The government of Ethiopia has been criticized for poor crisis response via its diplomatic mission in South Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy has not remarked about the situation as Ethiopians in the country are left worrying about possible worsening of xenophobic attacks.
The Ethiopian embassy in Pretoria released a statement on Wednesday advising its citizens to document and report incidents of violence and attack.
The embassy also said that it has requested the South African government to provide security protections to Ethiopians living in the country, and to investigate the recent killings.
MG/as/APA