The Federal Government yesterday asked the South African Government to protect Nigerians and other African migrants following the reports of violent anti-foreigner protests in parts of the country.
In a statement, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed concerns over the deteriorating situation in the Southern nation, where cases of violent attacks, intimidation, harassment of foreign nationals, and looting of their shops had been recorded in recent days.
The agency said: “Reports reaching us show that children of Nigerian descent are now scared to go to school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops due to fear of attacks and looting.” It added: “While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating.”
NiDCOM rejected the growing profiling of Nigerians, insisting that criminal acts should be treated on an individual basis. It said: “Crime has no nationality. Collective punishment and generalisation are unacceptable. “Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offence should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law. “However, collective punishment and blanket labelling of an entire nationality are unacceptable and dangerous.”
NiDCOM asked for increased police presence in affected communities, prompt arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks, and clear public messaging condemning xenophobia. It also suggested the establishment of a joint Nigeria– South Africa community safety forum involving law enforcement agencies, local authorities and diaspora leaders.
The agency appealed to Nigerians in the former apartheid nation to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas, while calling for calm and restraint.
And in another development, anti-immigration protesters in Johannesburg and other parts of South Africa yesterday asked undocumented foreigners, including Nigerians, to return to their countries and fight for economic freedom. The demonstrators, who accused illegal immigrants of taking away jobs, healthcare, housing and public services, said South Africa cannot continue to bear the burden of millions of foreigners escaping poor governance in their countries.
One of the organisers of the Johannesburg demonstrations ‘The March and March Movement’ alleged that illegal migrants are increasingly dominating township economies, with some operating businesses using fraudulent documentation. ‘Briefly News’ quoted a leader of the protests, Pastor ST Dlamini, as saying: “What we are saying to illegal foreigners is simple, anyone who enters the country without proper documentation is a thief.”
He asked illegal immigrants to return home to “fight for economic freedom” in their own countries, comparing their struggles to South Africa’s fight against apartheid. “Our forefathers died fighting apartheid with bare hands and they won. Africa has many countries, but people are coming here all at once,” Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, the South African Government yesterday urged citizens to uphold the constitution as it intensifies efforts to rid the country of illegal migrants. In a statement, acting government spokeswoman, Nomonde Mnukwa, pledged the Cyril Ramaphosa government’s commitment to sovereignty, security, and the rule of law.
She sought the support of the public for law enforcement agencies in addressing concerns related to illegal immigration and unlawful activities. Mnukwa said: “Such concerns should be reported to the South African Police Service, immigration authorities, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure they are addressed lawfully and effectively.”
According to her, the government is strengthening measures to address illegal immigration, including tightening border controls to combat unlawful entry, illicit trade, and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law.
