... sparks fears of xenophobia

A PORT Elizabeth pub is pulling out all the stops to keep criminals out – by barring Nigerians.

Three notices at the entrance to the Top Kick African Kitchen and Entertainment Centre in North End say: “Nigerians are strictly prohibited by management.”

Owner Alex Owusu, who comes from Ghana, said that after repeated raids by police, he had decided to chase all Nigerians away. “I have had a lot of problems in the past. The police used to raid my place five times a week. They have threatened to close my business because of Nigerians who sold drugs at my premises.”

Asked how he knew if people entering his business were Nigerians he said, “I am from West Africa. These are my brothers. I know them well.”

The pub in Govan Mbeki Avenue has been operating for the past two years.

Owusu is determined that his hard work in establishing the business and keeping it going will not be spoilt by people wanting to engage in illegal activities there. He claims the main culprits are Nigerians.

However, his actions have raised concerns of exacerbating xenophobia in the area. Last month, violence broke out between locals and Somali shop owners in Motherwell. There have also been clashes in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. Police spokesman Inspector Hazel Mqala said she would be meeting with crime prevention commanders today to discuss the issue. Human Rights Commission provision manager Mzimhle Popo said barring Nigerians was a direct violation of the Constitution.

“The Constitution rules against any form of discrimination on a number of grounds, including race. To say Nigerians sell drugs is problematic. We have decent Nigerian people working in this country and we cannot paint them all with the brush of criminality.”