The Nation Newspaper

Tag: South Africa

  • Xenophobia: Five Nigerians attacked in S/Africa again

    The Nigeria Union in South Africa, on Tuesday said five Nigerians had been attacked in Polokwane, Limpopo Province of that country in renewed xenophobic attacks.

    Mr Collin Mgbo, Secretary of the Union in the Province, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on telephone from Polokwane that three of the five Nigerians attacked were in critical condition in the hospital.

    “I received a call that a Nigerian was attacked at Ivy Park in Polokwane on March 15. I got to the scene and saw that the Nigerian was almost dead, his house was looted and burnt”, he said.

    Mgbo said another Nigerian was also attacked in the same neighbourhood same day and that while he got to the scene, the mob left the wounded man and descended on him.

    “They left the wounded Nigerian and faced me. They destroyed my car and I managed to escape and ran to a police station”, he said.

    The secretary added that three Nigerians, including the owner of a mechanic’s garage, were attacked at Moledji, near Polokwane .

    “Their shops and houses were looted, vandalised and destroyed. The local chapter of the union has reported these attacks to the South African police, Nigerian mission and national secretariat of our union.

    “Our national secretariat is on top of the situation. As we speak, three Nigerians in the hospital are in critical condition and I do not know if they will survive because of the severity of the attack”, he said.

    Mgbo urged the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to ensure the safety of Nigerians in their country.

    When contacted on phone, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaye, said the ministry had not been briefed about the incident.

    He, however, promised to get back to NAN after inquiry from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.

    Similar, in February, property worth millions of dollars belonging to Nigerians, were destroyed.

    The Federal Government later sent a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffry Onyeama and his Interior counterpart, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau to South Africa for discussion on curtailment of the attacks.

     

  • South Africa meets Nigeria in Alabanza Concert

    South Africa meets Nigeria in Alabanza Concert

    Nigerian-based record label, Tehila Records, has announced plans to host the fifth edition of its annual peace concert, the Alabanza Mega Gospel Concert, in South Africa.
    Supported by the South African High Commission, the concert, which is part of Tehila Records’ efforts to promote peace and unity on the African continent, is tagged South Africa meets Nigeria.
    The concert which will take place on Sunday, March 26, , at The Lyric Theatre, in Gold Riff, Johannesburg is described as a spiritual intervention which seeks to use the power of music to regenerate the hearts of many and put a stop to xenophobic attacks.
    According to the organisers, the concert will bring people from all walks of life to The Gold Reef City, while emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence, as well as the power of unity amongst Nigerians and South Africans, the two leading powers on the continent as exemplified by the cast of gospel music ministers billed to perform at the event.
    Performing in Johannesburg are some of the biggest gospel artistes from both Nigeria and South Africa, the African continent and the diaspora such as Enkay, Chiika100%, Ntokozo Mbambo, Sammie Okposo, Khaya Mthethwa and Mabongi.
    Other confirmed artistes are: Uche (Double Double), Tim Godfrey, Mahalia Buchanan, Frank Edwards, Chioma Jesus, Mpume, Onos, Bukola Bekes, Freke Umoh and James Okon.
    This year’s event is also a unique one as the event will take place outside the shores of Nigeria for the very first time, depicting a fusion of cultures, sounds and nations across the continent and indeed the entire world.
    Tehila Records is one of the foremost gospel record labels in Nigeria set up to promote and groom gospel music artistes both nationally and internationally.

  • Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria, South Africa agree terms

    Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria, South Africa agree terms

    •Set up early-warning unit

    Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to setup a new mechanism tagged the Early Warning Unit to proffer a lasting solution to repeated attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in a joint briefing with the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja yesterday described the initiative as the concrete outcome of their meeting with the South African government.

    Onyeama, while briefing journalists, explained that the South African government condemned the attacks and assured the Nigerian delegation that there would not be a repeat of such attacks on Nigerians.

    He said, however, that the Nigerian delegation demanded for more genuine commitment from the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Police, considering consistent reoccurrence of the attacks on Nigerians, and to assure the Nigerian community in South Africa of their safety.

    According to him, both delegations eventually agreed on the unit, which included representatives from both South Africa and Nigeria.

    They will meet quarterly to share information regarding the interests of both communities.

    Onyeama said: “We proposed to the South African government that from our discussions with the Nigerian community in South Africa, we feel they have no access to the government agencies that are responsible for their security, the government agencies that have it within their power to prevent such actions and the government agencies that have it as their mandate to address there complaints.

    “So we suggested to them that there should be a mechanism in place to bring together all those agencies with the Nigerian side and then they should meet regularly to share intelligence information so as to take necessary pre-emptive measures if required and also address the grievances of South Africans, issues of compensation, and so on.

    “As evident, with their cooperation, they accepted immediately that we should setup what we spontaneously called an early warning unit.

    “We said that this unit should comprise, from the South African side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Home Affairs and the police.”

    Asked about his emphasis on the South African police, Onyeama disclosed that Nigerians in South Africa had repeatedly complained that very often, when the attacks took place, the police stood by and did nothing.

    “Nigerians in South Africa don’t have confidence in the police. Sometimes, it will appear as if the police had been complacent in a lot of these attacks. So it was important this unit should have police presence there,” Onyeama added.

    Members of the unit from Nigeria included the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, Nigerian Consulate in South Africa and leadership of Nigerian Union in South Africa.

    The minister noted that Nigerians in South Africa recognised there are other Nigerians dealing in drugs, fraud and prostitution rackets, adding that these Nigerians were making things difficult.

    But when they arre reported to the police, he said, it always leads back to the Nigerians who reported, thereby putting them in danger, thus they became reserved about reporting to the police.

    The minister further stated that the unit would serve as a platform to inform the South African government of any corrupt Nigerians in the SA.

    In his remarks, Dambazau disclosed that about 400 Nigerians are currently serving various jail terms in South Africa.

    He said it was normal for Nigerians to travel to the South Africa for legitimate reasons, but the South African government should be responsible for addressing migration issues.

    The minister, who agreed that some Nigerians engage in criminal acts, emphasised that the population was minor compared to those contributing to the socio-economic development of South Africa.

    He said: “People move, but these days, we know people move because of conflict situations, disaster. Some move for economic reasons where nations have problem. So migration is not a bad idea but how to manage it.

    “We talked about irregular migrants. We have discussed on time to sit and discuss some of these issues.

    “We have Nigerians in South Africa who contribute largely to its development. We should look at that.

    “It is bad that they should fold their arms when it comes to issues of criminality. But in doing that, due process of the law should be taken in terms of the assumptions of innocence until proven guilty.

    “The right to fair hearing but due process of the law must be taken,” Dambazau added.

     

  • 400 Nigerians in jail in South Africa, says Dambazau

    400 Nigerians in jail in South Africa, says Dambazau

    Interior Minister retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau on Friday said 400 Nigerians are saving jail terms for various offences in South Africa.

    Dambazau made the disclosure at joint news conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the visit of Nigerian delegation to South Africa.

    Dambazau and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama had on Monday led a delegation to South Africa over the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in that country.

    He said he had a meeting with his counterpart, the Home Affairs Minister in South Africa and discussed general issues particularly on migration.

    The minister said they also discussed Nigerians involved in some criminal activities.

    “These are in the minority because equally we have Nigerian professionals who are contributing positively to development of the economy of South Africa.

    “However, that is not to say that they should fold their arms and not to do something about somebody involved in criminality.

    “But in doing that, we emphasised that due processe of the law should be taken in terms of the assumption of innocence, being proven guilty and in terms of fair hearing.

    “I understand that there are about 400 Nigerians who are in their prison for various offences”, he said.

    The minister said their offences included prostitution and drug, among others.

    He said the offenders would finish their jail terms in South Africa because there was no prisoner exchange arrangement between Nigeria and South Africa as it were with some other countries.

    He, however, said that efforts would be made to ensure that such arrangement was put in place in due course.

    Dambazau said he also emphasised that due process of the law should be taken in dealing with suspected criminals.

    “When we met with the Nigerian community, we also emphasised that those who are involved in criminal behaviour should not be allowed to spoil the good names of themselves and Nigeria.

    “So they have that moral responsibility to report where necessary”, he said.

    The minister said that the issue of passport challenge was also tabled at the meeting with the Nigerian community with a promise that it would be resolved.

    “There were complaints that the passport machines were old and from our record we understand that they were supplied in 2007

    “I then promised them that arrangement must be made to ensure that all passport machines are changed to modern ones.

    “We are going to streamline the issuance of passport”, he said. (NAN)

  • Acclaimed South African artist found guilty of murdering sex worker

    Acclaimed South African artist found guilty of murdering sex worker

    Internationally acclaimed South African artist Zwelethu Mthethwa on Thursday was found guilty of murdering a sex worker in the city of Cape Town in April 2013.

    “The Western Cape High Court convicted Mthethwa, whose paintings and photographs have been shown in over 50 solo exhibitions around the world of murder.

    “The conviction was based on footage from a surveillance camera and a car tracking device,’’ a media report said.

    It said that the video footage showed the 57-year-old artist parking his Porsche, crossing the road and striking down a woman on a sidewalk.

    “He then repeatedly and forcefully kicked and hit the woman’s head and body and drove off in his car.

    “The 23-year-old sex worker’s dead body was found by a security guard about an hour after the incident,’’ the media report noted.

    Judge Patricia Goliath said the camera footage acted as a “silent witness.’’

    However, Mthethwa did not testify or hand in a plea. (dpa/NAN)

  • NANS march against xenophobia in South Africa

    NANS march against xenophobia in South Africa

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has held rallies to condemn the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa. It threatened reprisals if the attacks continue, KINGSLEY AMATANWEZE and MAHMUD ABDULSALAM report.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is blowing hot over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. It has threatened reprisals, if the attacks are not stopped.

    During rallies in Abuja and Enugu State, NANS described the attacks as unwarranted.

    Hundreds of tertiary institutions in Niger State and Abuja gathered for the rally in the federal capital tagged: Madness to cure madness, against South Africa.

    The protesters condemned what they called assaults on Africans. They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “NANS against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians”, “We condemn attacks on our fellow Africans”, “We are our brothers’ keepers in Africa”, and “South Africans are bunch of ingrates”.

    The protesters led by NANS President, Aruna Kadiri, moved from the Unity Fountain to the MTN office in Maitama, and then to the Multichoice office in the Central Business District. They chanted solidarity songs, expressing their grievances to the cruelty and intolerance of South Africans against foreigners.

    The protesters marched on the South African High Commission, where they burnt South African flag. The demonstration was terminated at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the protesters demanded “decisive action” from the Federal Government on South Africa.

    Kadiri said: “We want to put it clear that we are annoyed by the nasty story emanating from South Africa. It is unfortunate that these acts of savagery by man to his fellow man happened in a country whose independence was fought by all Africans. Hence, we are saying enough is enough. We would not condone violent hostility towards Africans in South Africa.

    “Nigeria contributed significant resources to the freedom South Africans are enjoying today. It is surprising that the same people now humiliate Nigerians in their country. If they have forgotten so soon, let them recourse back to history and see how much Nigeria had contributed morally, logistically, forcefully and monetarily to liberate South Africa from the shackle of apartheid.”

    Responding, the Foreign Ministry spokespersons, Clement Aduku, urged the protesters to drop the idea of reprisal, saying the government did not rest on its oars in addressing the issue with its South African counterpart.

    The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, regretted the attacks, promising that the culprits would be prosecuted.

    He said: ‘’The South African government share in the grief of Nigerians and other foreigners who may have suffered physical, emotional, psychological and financial trauma as a result of the xenophobic attacks. There is no denying that the incident is not only despicable but demeaning of the African race. However, I want to assure everyone that the culprits would not go unpunished. It is important that all foreign nationals in South Africa or those proposing a visit ensure that they travel with genuine documents and endeavour to respect the laws of their host country.”

    At a briefing after its rally, the Enugu State chapter of NANS urged the government to prevent recurrence of the attacks on Nigerians.

    Its Chairman, Chidi Ilogebe, said: “We are calling on the Federal Government to do the needful by bringing an end to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. We also call on the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, to protect foreigners living in his country. He needs to call his countrymen to order.”

    NANS Zonal Public Relations Officer (PRO), Victor Ezenagu, decried the attacks, saying they were signs of ingratitude to the role Nigeria played toward the freedom of South Africans.

    He said: “Nigerians don’t deserve what they are experiencing in the hands of South Africans. About three decades ago, we led a vanguard that fought apartheid in South Africa. The likes of Thabo Mbeki were given asylum in Nigeria. We saw South Africans as brothers.

    “Nothing warrants the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. We call on the President Zuma to stop these xenophobic attacks on. South Africans shouldn’t think they have monopoly of violence. We have many of their countrymen in Nigeria and they are living in peace. We want them to reciprocate this good gesture to our patriots living in their country. They must know that respect begets respect, and violence begets violence too.”

    NANS said it is duty as pressure group to seek the protection of Nigerians in and outside the country’s border. The students urged the National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite actions to ensuring protection for Nigerians in South Africa.

     

     

     

  • South Africa loses 2022 Commonwealth Games hosting right

    South Africa loses 2022 Commonwealth Games hosting right

    The South African City of Durban has lost the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the broadcaster eNCA reported on Monday.

    South Africa had too many outstanding tasks to be able to host the Games, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Gideon Sam was quoted as saying Durban was awarded the Games in 2015 as the only city to make a confirmed bid.

    The bid was believed to have been withdrawn because of financial constraints.

    NAN reports that the games were set to open on July 18, 2022, coinciding with the birthday of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela.
    The City of Durban’s Commonwealth Bid Committee, a part of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, lodged the city’s bid to host the games at Mansion House in London on March 2, 2015, leaving Durban as the only candidate city to host the games after Canada withdrew Edmonton as their bid city.

    At the same time the Durban 2022 brand was launched on social media as Durban2022 on Facebook, @Durban2022 on Twitter and @Durban2022 on Instagram

  • DotAfrica: Abuja residents commend AU launch of internet domain

    DotAfrica: Abuja residents commend AU launch of internet domain

    Some Abuja residents on Sunday said they were excited about the recent launch of  DotAfrica (.Africa) by the African Union (AU) which aimed at  bringing Africa together as an internet community.

    DotAfrica is a generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) established by Africans for Africa and the rest of the world for better access to e-commerce, technology and infrastructure.

    The domain has been created to give Africans an opportunity to forge a unique online identity which will associate their products, services and information with people in Africa and beyond.

    Some of the individuals who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday shared their views on the African domain that was launched on Friday by the AU.

    Mrs Bukola Adeyemi, a software programmer, told NAN that the creation of dotAfrica was a good step to putting Africa on the digital map which was beneficial for e-commerce.

    “It is nice to see that Africa now has a position on the digital map which would be beneficial to Africa’s development especially with the use of e-commerce; thanks to AU.

    “This means the dotAfrica which is represented as .Africa on the internet would be used in place of the popular dotcom represented by .com when typing an address on the internet.

    “However, this should be made available to only African businesses and internet pages or websites to internationally showcase Africa’s productivity and potentials.

    “It serves the same purpose as the dotUK representing United Kingdom, dotZa for South Africa and dotNg for Nigerian websites.’’

    Similarly, Mr Tonye Jack, who is also a software programmer, said it was high time Africa had its own domain as AU had identified a qualified organisation to ensure the dotAfria domain was successful.

    “I am happy that AU identified the need for Africa to have its own domain.

    “The organisation responsible for handling this new African domain is known as ZA Central Registry and it is located in South Africa.

    “With over 15 years experience, the organisation is responsible for one of the first African internet domains known as dotCo-dotZa (.co.za) which is mainly used by South Africa.

    “AU identified the organisation as the organisation most qualified to handle this new domain. So I am sure they would do a good job in maintaining and managing websites set on the domain.

    “This is a big step for Africa,’’ he said.

    Mr Tekenna Dagogo, a civil servant, said that “this domain creates a good opportunity for Africans to showcase Africa’s potentials which would help attain economic development.

    “And will definitely encourage better online trade and exchange of information between continents which can promote economic development.

    “Although different African countries have their own domain, it is beneficial for Africa as a whole to have a domain of its own represented on the internet to showcase Africa as a whole.

    “This means that organisations that have interest in developing Africa as a whole can stop using dotcom and use dot Africa instead; this will show the focus, target and origin of the organisation.

     

  • S/Africa taxi drivers protest against Uber

    S/Africa taxi drivers protest against Uber

    Hundreds of South African taxi drivers on Friday blocked roads to Johannesburg airport, holding up thousands of travelers and causing traffic chaos in a protest against the app-based taxi service Uber, local media reported.

    “The train going to the airport was packed with passengers trying desperately to catch their flights,’’ witnesses said.

    The local media reported that some travelers were seen walking toward the airport, hauling their luggage.

    The taxi drivers accused U.S.-based Uber, which operates in South Africa’s main cities of pulling down prices and preventing them from making a living.

    “From this day, we don’t want to see Uber in our country, because it’s illegal,’’ one taxi driver said to newsmen.

    According to the local media, metered taxi drivers say Uber drivers do not pay licence fees.

    Meanwhile, the local media was unable to obtain a comment from Uber’s South African branch Uber has faced protests from other taxi drivers in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

    It was not immediately known if the protest would lead to flights being delayed.

    The local media was also unable to reach the communications department of Johannesburg airport.

  • Xenophobia: Falana threatens to sue South Africa

    Xenophobia: Falana threatens to sue South Africa

    Lagos lawyer and activist Femi Falana  has asked  South African President Jacob Zuma to identify perpetrators of criminal acts and xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa and bring them to justice.

    The request was contained in a letter yesterday, titled: “Request to identify perpetrators of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, bring them to justice and provide adequate compensation to victims”.

    Falana urged Zuma to promote and ensure access to justice and the right to effective remedy and reparations to victims.

    He said he would sue the South African government if it failed to stop the xenophobic attacks as requested.

    “Take notice that if the xenophobic attacks continue, we shall be compelled to sue your government.

    “Since 2008, the xenophobic violence and other criminal acts have continued to occur across South Africa claiming lives, displacing tens of thousands of people and leaving countless victims injured and robbing them of their property.

    “Although some arrests have reportedly been made, many perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice while the victims continue to be denied access to justice and their internationally recognised right to effective remedy and reparations.

    “We believe that it is the failure of your government to bring perpetrators to justice and protect the victims that has resulted in a vicious cycle of attacks and impunity.

    “These xenophobic attacks and violence are not only human rights violations but also criminal acts, and the  failure to address the problems is a serious affront to the rule of law and directly breaches your government’s international human rights obligations.”

    The lawyer, therefore, said the South African government should identify and arrest perpetrators and bringing them to justice and publicly provide access to justice and effective remedy to victims.

    Falana urged Zuma to put measures in place to protect non-nationals, including Nigerians, living in South Africa.

    He argued that the prosecution of perpetrators and provision of reparations to victims would prevent future attacks.