A formal apology was tendered to Nigeria on Monday by the President
of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, over the xenophobic attacks on
Nigerians in his country.
He said the ugly incidents did not represent the values his country cherished.
Ramaphosa’s apology was delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari in
Abuja by a special envoy he sent with his Nigerian counterpart.
The envoy, Mr Jeff Radebe, came to see Buhari in company with the
South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Bobby Monroe, and two
other officials.
Speaking with State House Correspondents after the meeting, Radebe
said, “We met with President Buhari to convey President Ramaphosa’s
sincerest apologies about the incidents that have recently transpired in
South Africa.
“The incidents do not represent what we stand for as a constitutional
democracy in South Africa and the President has apologised for these
incidents.
“He has also instructed law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to bring those involved to book.
“He (Ramaphosa) also conveyed his resolve of ensuring that both
Nigeria and South Africa continued to play a critical role in the
rebuilding of Africa to attend the agenda 2063; the Africa that we want.
“We also recalled with fun memories the historical times that exit
between Nigeria and South Africa. During the dark days of apartheid, we
knew that the Nigerian people and their government stood behind our
leaders, who were fighting against the obnoxious system of apartheid.”
He noted that leaders on the African continent must use the crisis as
an opportunity to “make sure that the scourge of unemployment, poverty
and inequality in Africa is attended to by our leaders.”
Radebe added that during Buhari’s planned visit to South Africa on
October 3, the two leaders would take advantage of the existing
Bi-Mission Commission to “address all those issues of mutual concern
about South Africa and Nigeria.”
When asked whether South would pay compensation to Nigerians whose
property were either looted or set ablaze, the envoy replied that such
issues would be tackled during Buhari’s visit.
He explained, “During President Buhari’s state visit to South Africa,
there will be discussions there. I do understand that the issue of
compensation and restitution is part of the agenda.
“We should wait until October 3 to
see how that unfolds. But, I can indicate that as a lawyer, the South
African laws require that all registered companies must have public
insurance in terms of things of this nature.”
He added that up to 50 suspects had been arrested and would be prosecuted accordingly.
Speaking on why it took South Africa long time to address xenophobia,
he said, “These incidents have been happening from time to time. As you
know, we are still emerging from the system of apartheid, where
according to statistics, the last unemployment rate was around 29 per
cent.
“Some of these incidents occur in areas where there is poverty,
unemployment and fight for scarce resources. But no amount of hunger,
hardship, justifies the looting of property, killings of people, whether
they are South Africans or foreigners. We regard that as an act of
criminality.”
