Five Ghanaians have been rescued in South Africa as the xenophobic attacks on immigrants in that country worsen.

According to an official with Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa, the five have been sent to a safer location in Lynwood.

Earlier this week, angry mobs attacked Nigerians and looted shops belonging to Somalis, Pakistani and other migrants in townships around Pretoria and parts of Johannesburg.

“They [foreigners] should know that this they are a guest in my house. I am treating them with respect. They should treat me with respect,” one angry protester told the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko at the scene.

Nigerians in South Africa were “notorious” for dealing drugs, he added, calling for greater checks on foreigners coming into the country.

Somali and Bangladeshi immigrants in the western part of the city told the BBC that their shops had been looted during Friday’s protests.

Shopkeeper Omar Adawi said it was the third time his business had been targeted: “I am not feeling happy… Now my shop is nothing. They took everything. I have lost everything. I have nothing left in my hands,” he said.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister had confirmed on Friday that no Ghanaian had been affected in the attacks yet.

According to Starr News’ source at the British High Commission several Ghanaians have contacted the Commission asking for as the attacks on immigrants have increased in the last few days.