The South African government says it remains indebted to
Nigeria for its role in the liberation struggle that freed the country from
apartheid.
Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s minister of international
relations and cooperation, spoke on Monday during a meeting with Sola
Enikanolaiye, Nigeria’s minister of state foreign affairs, in Abuja.
According to reports, South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa asked Lamola to deliver a message to President Bola Tinubu. However,
Tinubu reportedly delegated the meeting to Enikanolaiye.
Lamola said the visit was aimed at reaffirming the historic
friendship and solidarity between the two countries while addressing concerns
over violence against foreign nationals.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s pivotal role in supporting South
Africa’s struggle against apartheid, describing the country’s contribution as a
sacrifice that remains deeply appreciated by the South African people.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for
their sacrifice,” Lamola said, adding that Ramaphosa and his government remain
firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and all forms
of intolerance.
The South African minister, however, said his country has a
sovereign responsibility to enforce its immigration laws and combat irregular
migration and criminal activities, including drug trafficking, internet fraud
and other offences.
Lamola said migration has become a continental challenge
that requires African countries to work together within the framework of the
African Union’s (AU) protocols on orderly and regular migration.
“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared
responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent,” he
said.
The minister said details of Ramaphosa’s message would be
discussed during a closed-door session.
Enikanolaiye said Tinubu directed the meeting to address the
persistent attacks against Nigerians in South Africa in a frank and honest
manner.
The minister urged Pretoria to take urgent and concrete
steps to end what Nigeria described as recurring Afrophobic attacks against
Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that the violence threatens
decades of strategic partnership between Africa’s two largest economies.
’98 NIGERIANS KILLED IN S’AFRICA XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE
SINCE 2022′
According to Enikanolaiye, official records indicate that 98
Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa
since 2022.
This year, five Nigerians were reported dead. However, some
repatriated Nigerians have alleged higher figures.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria does not condone criminality but
noted that anyone accused of crimes should be arrested, prosecuted and punished
through the judicial process rather than subjected to mob justice.
“Nigeria will not support drug traffickers or any criminal
activity, but those accused of crimes must be treated in accordance with the
rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights
standards,” he said.
The minister noted that many of the victims were legally
resident in South Africa and questioned the failure of security agencies to
intervene during some of the attacks, saying such incidents raised concerns
about state responsibility and the safety of foreign nationals.
Nearly 1,500 Nigerians were repatriated from South Africa
this year. Enikanolaiye described the experience as emotionally devastating.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I
saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after
their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we
want,” he said.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining
cordial relations with South Africa and expressed optimism that both countries
would strengthen dialogue, rebuild confidence and protect the ideals of African
solidarity.
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