The Bangladesh government has requested Bangladeshi businessmen in South Africa to not open their establishments until the situation normalises.
“We came to know that four or five shops owned by Bangladeshi citizens and some Bangladeshis were attacked in South Africa,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said at a press conference Monday.
“We instructed the Bangladesh mission in South Africa to open a 24-hour hotline today where any victim can report damages,” he said. Domestic politics in South Africa turned volatile when a section of the political force started a hate campaign against foreigners.
“South African President Jacob Zuma has already appealed to his citizens to restrain themselves and show a friendly attitude towards foreigners,” the state minister said.
The junior minister said it is not correct the African country is deporting Bangladeshis from there.
“Our mission is in constant touch with the South African government, and they assured us they would look after the well-being of Bangladeshi citizens residing there,” he said.
Over 50,000 Bangladeshis are currently residing in South Africa, but unlike any other country, they are mostly businessmen running small shops there.