The South African government has met with the delegation of the federal government, affirming that it remains indebted to Nigeria for its role in the liberation struggle that freed the country from apartheid rule.
South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, Ronald Lamola, disclosed this on Monday, during a meeting with Nigeria’s minister of state foreign affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye,in Abuja.
Based on reports, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa asked Lamola to deliver a message to President Bola Tinubu. But,, the Nigerian leader, reportedly delegated the meeting to Enikanolaiye.
Lamola stated that the visit was intended 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.
He however, said South Africa 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 noted that 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.
He added that details of Ramaphosa’s message would be addressed 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.
“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.
“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.
