Politics Xenophobia: South Africa Blasts Nigeria Over Envoy Recall, Says Remember The TB Joshua Case?

[Vunderkind]

Media Statement from the Republic of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation

26 April 2015

South African Government responds to the decision by the Nigerian Government

The South African Government takes note that the outgoing Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recalled its Acting High Commissioner to South Africa. A government resorts to such an extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or behaviour of another government.

We are not sure which actions or behaviour of the South African Government the Nigerian Government is protesting. It is only Nigeria that has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step. If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has just returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference. At no stage did the Nigerian delegation present at that gathering, expressed its intention to formally raise the issue with the South African side.

South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and bilateral relations with Nigeria. It is for this reason that when 84 of our citizens perished on Nigerian soil, we did not blame the Nigerian Government for the deaths and more than nine (9) months delay in the repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots, or for the fact that when these bodies eventually returned, they were in a state that they could not be touched or viewed as required by our burial practice.

We will raise our concerns through diplomatic channels with the new administration that will assume office in Nigeria next month.

The South African Government, as well as all political parties, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, business, sports fraternities, including artists, musicians and ordinary people of South Africa, have been decisive and unequivocal in condemning and rejecting the attacks on foreign nationals.

Through our interventions, relative calm and order has been restored. We are encouraged by the solidarity our country continues to receive from other African countries and the international community. We shall also continue to support and not blame the Nigerian Government as it battles to deal with Boko Haram that continues to kill many innocent civilians. We hope that the more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will someday be reunited with their families.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale, Pretoria
0084

 

[kayode ajayi]

I don't believe that the South African authority is addressing the issue of xenophobia as it ought to. This is not the first time it has happened. This is first of all a humanity issue and then economic issue.

Humanity issue that bother on loss of life should be separated from economic loss. A life cannot be replaced. Therefore no amount of political reaction from the bereaved nation will be too much. Hence the statement credited to SA authority is uncalled for, also cting the Synagogue 's incident has even made it worse. Synagogue incident is an act of God unlike xenophobia that was masterminded and executed by SA people against other nationals. Xenophobia could have been avoided this time around should the SA govt be that serious - this is a repeat.

I commend the Nigeria govt for the step taken and there is nothing extraordinary about it. If Nigerian govt has not taken that step then the citizen may feel that the govt can't defend them anywhere and what if they resort to repreasal attack on the SA nationals and establishment in Nigeria.

I am of the opinion that the Nigeria should govt take the issues of her citizen's protection seriously.
Because Nigerian are having raw deals every where, even at home in the hands of other Nationals- the so called foreign investors.

 

[Udonsi Nnate Okoro]

For the second time in as many months,President Jonathan has done things right,even if the recall of the Nigerian envoy to South Africa is a wee too late,but a recall is a recall,period.
However,it is very very difficult to believe that the statement coming out of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs,is from such a supposedly high-profile ministry.Such a ministry is usually made up of an aggregation of the best brains of a country.Or is South Africa telling us that this is the best they can offer?
The T.B.Joshua's building collapse,was an unfortunate natural disaster.At our present infrastructural level of development,we did the best we could in terms of rescue and recovery of the victims;who were more Nigerians than South Africans.
But on the contrary,the South African case was man-made:the so-called Zulu King instigated the attacks.And when he said what he said,did the President,Jacob Zuma,call him to order?If you read between the lines,you'll discover "the Biblical hand of Joshua and the voice of Jacob".Otherwise,how come the security agencies stood by,smilingly and watched while the attackers committed their untold crimes?Were the Police no longer an arm of the government?If they still were,whose scripts were they acting out?
The above is a rhetorical question which leaves a sour taste in the mouth.This is more so in light of the fact that it took the President MORE THAN TWO WEEKS to condemn the attacks and call out troops to quell them.Hmmm,a poor attempt at "a camouflage" or,at best,some medicine after death.
South Africans,in their collective amnesia and outright ingratitude which pervades the society and the nation and finds expression in government,have forgotten that it was ONLY 21 YEARS AGO,when we liberated them from the clutches of Apartheid.
And this is the best way to say thank to Nigeria.Yes,Nigerians are not wanted in South Africa,but how about the British and the other European countries that supported and funded the Apartheid Policy/Government,how many of them were attacked?None!!And the foreign ministry still refers to us as a "sisterly" African country.What a shame?
Finally,the terse reference to the "boko haram and the abducted schoolgirls",leaves a lot to be desired . . . . Rubbing salt on our injury?Question is how much,as a "sisterly" African country, have you done to help out?A mere 21 years ago,when you were in trouble,we were there for you . . . You all are a bunch of ingrates!And my people would say,"elee ifem nacho na mpi ewu,ma orupkom anya",what am l looking for between the horns of a goat,to gouge out my eyes?