The fate of Nigerians and other Black Africans in South Africa, since after Apartheid calls for very decisive urgent Federal Government attention and action.
How many destructions, maiming and killings do we expect from these ungrateful South Africans before we begin to call on the government to arrest these ugly incidents.
It has become too regular and too frequent to be ignored. What exactly is the Federal Government of Nigeria’s diplomatic policy as it concerns the protection of Nigerians living outside our shores. These are not mere isolated cases of killings, but a deliberate and continuous hostility targeted at only their fellow blacks, while their Whites, Chinese, Indians etc., who are in the minority and their real oppressors that subjugated them for many years and denied them freedom are unmolested and walk freely.
For many years now, local South Africans have taken delight in killing Nigerians and there appears to be no real or serious intent on the part of the Federal Government to call the South African government to check this madness.
They kill, especially Nigerians, for the flimsiest of reason. They claim foreigners are taking their jobs. They say Nigerians are taking their women. How absurd? Do they have the requisite skills for those jobs or are they able to provide the services that these immigrants offer?
Some years ago, at an event in Lagos, I asked a South African woman why these xenophobic hatred? Amongst all things, she even said their men hate Nigerians because their women find them attractive, romantic and loving. How for heaven’s sake should we allow our citizens to be killed in such a senseless manner?
Anyone who thinks this is just about the man in the streets, should have a rethink because the South African government is hostile to Nigerian investors. This is not just about the South African peasants, that is why these dastardly acts have continued.
In April, two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, were killed by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in Port Elizabeth.
Following the tragedy, the Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, stated that the killings had further raised questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners.
She added that the separate incidents had left the bereaved families, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions in shock.
The Consul-General noted the inherent danger over continuous generalisation in some quarters and tagging of well-meaning innocent Nigerians in the country as criminals.
Okey-Uche said, “On this, we are calling on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome act to justice. Our position is that no matter what the allegations may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice.
“All should be presumed innocent and granted fair treatment and hearing in a court of law. No one should take laws into his hands under any circumstance. We hope to achieve the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrators.”
However, all the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, could offer was to admonish Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in the country to respect their laws, customs and traditions.
How sad. Is the South African president not by that meaningless statements encouraging extra-judicial murders? Is he not encouraging killing of other nationals without fair trial? Is that a confirmation of the fact that these atrocious acts have official seal of the South African government?
One is not by any means, rationalising any overreaching conduct by any foreigner, but are there no laws in the country or courts to subject such suspects to rather than encouraging extra-judicial murders?
Meanwhile, Nigerians and Africans are experiencing heightened fear and panic within the diaspora community.
It’s disappointing to say the least, even as Nigerians have been calling on the Federal Government to bring them back home, nothing, it seems, is being done about that.
Ramaphosa’s position only exacerbates the tension and fears of these migrants.
Talking about obeying laws, is Ramaphosa saying there are no infractions by the Chinese, Indians and others and that is why they are not killed without trial? Are they saying it is the Blacks alone there that break their laws?
If the south African government wants this to end it can, by clamping down on the perpetrators. How can they allow miscreants to be invading peoples privacies and asking fellow blacks as them to leave their country?
The Nigerian government must make immediate arrangement to bring back those who are calling to be taken back home. Is anybody hearing their cries?
President Bola Tinubu should call Ramaphosa to express the discontent of his government and the people of Nigeria over his shoddy handling and tacit approval of xenophobic hatred against Nigerians in South Africa.
We demand the protection of all Nigerians abroad; it is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the Federal Government.
