A Nigerian businessman operating a shop in South Africa has pushed back against demands by local protesters to shut down his establishment, saying closure would displace dozens of South African employees who depend on the business for their livelihoods.

In a confrontation captured on viral video posted by NTU Zuma TV on Tuesday, the shop owner is seen engaging with individuals demanding that foreign-owned shops be closed immediately.

However, the protesters insisted the man must leave, even as he asked to be allowed to wait for an official government directive and to hand over or sell his business before exiting.

The businessman said he has all necessary documents, has been paying taxes for 13 years, and currently employs over 30 South Africans.

“When the Chinese were running this shop, they used to have one worker or two workers.

“But since I started running this shop, I created an opportunity for about 20-something to 30-something South Africans who are working here,” the man said in the footage.

The confrontation comes as anti-immigrant groups in South Africa intensify protests, with some setting June 13 to 30 deadlines for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

Protesters in the video insisted, “We don’t want any foreigner to run any business here, including you… Today, you close it.”

They dismissed the shop owner’s documentation and concerns about his employees, saying, “We don’t care.”

The businessman, identifying himself as a law-abiding resident with all necessary permits and tax records, said he would only close if directed by the government.

“I have run my business, pay tax for 13 years now… I’m not illegal. If the government insists that I should close my shop and go… I will close and go.”

However, he said his primary concern remained his staff.

“I have 30-something workers here, South Africans, who, if you close this shop, they will be displaced. I want to make sure that while I’m going, they’re in good hands… Get me a South African who is capable to manage this shop.”

He added that he was “tired of all this harassment” but insisted he was not abandoning his employees.

He said his local workers told him they could not take over due to high rent costs.

South Africa has begun the repatriation of 586 Nigerians found to be residing in the country, with the first batch of 258 returnees arriving in Lagos last Thursday, while the remainder are scheduled to arrive on Monday.

On Sunday, the country’s Home Affairs Minister said it repatriated 2,745 foreigners in the week after President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed tougher action against illegal immigration.

PUNCH reports that the South African government has begun to lament the impact of xenophobic claims by some individuals, leading to income losses for businesses owned by its citizens abroad, as Kubayi disclosed that event organisers are systematically cancelling shows booked for South African artistes. (The PUNCH)

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