Xenophobia: we will kill any South African citizen in Nigeria - angry youth

By Eric Patrick 


Location South African Government has assured that it will continue to collaborate with major stakeholders in Nigeria to find lasting solution to xenophobic attack of Nigerians in South Africa.

The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when 
Sen. Shehu Sani, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs visited him.

Mnguni, who condemned recent attacks on foreigners,
particularly Nigerians in South Africa, said there was need
 for the two countries to work together to bring an end to the
problem.

According to him, it is important for Nigeria and South 
Africa to bring strategists to discuss the issues at stake to find
appropriate solution.

He said “we will look for ways to contain the tension and 
come up with measures to encourage interaction between
 the two countries and other African nations.

“South Africa cannot stay as an island; instead, it will 
continue to work toward peace building and integration.”

The high commissioner added that the South African
Government had always pushed for respect for human
 rights, stressing that there was no justification for the 
attacks.

He, however, urged foreigners to always abide by the laws
 of the countries where they live.

He said there were concerns among South Africans that a 
few foreigners, including Nigerians, were involved in drug peddling.

“We are not condoning violence, but it will be wrong not to
reflect the concerns of South Africans, especially with regard to drug trafficking.

“We must not look at one side even though we are not
condoning it. People must not take laws into their hands.

“When people go to other countries, they must respect the
laws of the country,’’ he said.

He explained that a few foreigners involved in drug 
trafficking and other crimes were giving false impression 
of other people in South Africa.

He said that “in spite of this, the South African Government had benefited immensely from the economic activities of
foreigners.

“There are foreigners, including many Nigerians that are
 law abiding and are contributing to the economic development of South Africa.

“However, there are few people who give wrong impression 
of foreigners.”

Earlier, Sani had expressed concern over recurring 
xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. He said
 it would portray the continent in bad light if allowed to continue, adding that it was time for major stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.

He said “Nigeria’s relationship with South Africa dates back 
to the time of Apartheid.

“Nigeria is a major component in the struggle against
apartheid.

“Should these attacks continue, relationship between the
 two countries might be weakened.

“The problem is a concern to the whole of Africa because
 the two countries are respected global players.”

Sani also expressed concern that the attacks were perpetrated by a few persons whose actions did not reflect
 the position of the South African Government, in view of its bilateral relations with Nigeria.

The lawmaker urged aggrieved Nigerians who were 
protesting the attacks to do so within the confines of the 
law, as the two countries fashioned out ways to tackle the problem.