Fresh Attacks On Nigerians In South Africa Not Xenophobic – Fg Clarifies

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, March 22, (THEWILL) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted media reports that the recent attack at Polokwane motor park in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, which affected two Nigerians, was a xenophobic attack, describing it rather as a scuffle.

Noting that two Nigerians were said to be injured with properties destroyed in the fracas, the federal government challenged the South African authorities to live up to expectation in maintaining law and order as well as the protection of lives and properties, particularly of foreign nationals.

A statement signed by the Foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Clement Aduku said though there was no reported loss of live involving any Nigerians, the incident is coming barely few days after both Nigerian and South African governments successfully proffered solution to the issue of xenophobic attacks.

The statement reads in part: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received reports of alleged renewed attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Such reports, coming on the heels of the recently concluded and highly successful dual-layered engagement with top officials and parliamentarians in South Africa, including members of the civil society, give cause for concern.

“Contrary to media reports, the recent incident was a scuffle that took place on March 14, 2017 in a motor park in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province in which two Nigerians were injured one of who has already been discharged from the hospital and the other receiving treatment.

“The ministry has received no report of casualty or death of any Nigerian in this latest altercation though some properties were reportedly destroyed in the ensuing escalation. From all indications, the recent incident does not constitute xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.”

Aduku however assured that Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner in South Africa, Martin Cobham is collaborating with the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama in liaison with the leadership of the Nigerian community and relevant officials of the host government, to ensure that the situation does not escalate.

The ministry specifically called “on the South African authorities to continue to take firm measures to maintain law and order, including the security of lives and property in the country such that Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa may continue to go about their normal businesses without let or hindrance.”