Xenophobic attacks: South African Parliament issues veiled arrogant statement

 

By Ademola Adegbamigbe

The Parliament of South Africa has issued a statement that tends to call a spade by other names on the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in that country.

One, it refused to acknowledge or condemn South Africa, rather, it spoke on “the violence, which is driven by communities on both sides of the tension,” which has “entailed disturbing trends of lawlessness, assaults against our law enforcement officers.” Not a few have condemned the indecisiveness of the so-called “law enforcement agents” even as Nigerians were being attacked.

Second, it “urged relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies …to take appropriate steps regarding those living illegally in the country.” The issue of illegal immigrants should, for now, since lives have been lost, have been underplayed. 

Third, nowhere did the legislature mention the nationalities of the victims, despite the open diplomatic shindig that the attacks have caused between Nigeria and South Africa.

The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo, have, according to the statement, noted with serious concern the ongoing sporadic violence characterised by tensions between South African communities and foreign nationals in certain parts of the country.

They said: “The violence, which is driven by communities on both sides of the tension, have entailed disturbing trends of lawlessness, assaults against our law enforcement officers, retaliatory attacks and looting of shops, amongst others. All these acts of criminality are an antithesis to the rule of law and democracy, and threatens our country’s culture of tolerance, peace and coexistence.”

The Presiding Officers have appealed for calm amongst these communities while urging “our country’s law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in stopping the mayhem and restoring peace and stability.”

The law enforcement agencies, according to them, must act with decisiveness and boldness in ensuring that any lawbreaker is brought to book regardless of nationality.

The Presiding Officers have also appealed to leaders from various sectors to assist in providing the necessary leadership in quelling the disorder, including acting circumspectly in their public comments.

They went further: “Much has been said about our country’s excessively porous borders and the influx of undocumented foreign nationals. While South Africa continues to be a welcoming nation to foreign nationals, illegal immigrants make the state’s Constitutional obligation which is to prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; and to protect and secure all those who live within its borders difficult to fulfil.”

Accordingly, relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies are urged to step up their efforts to curb this phenomenon and take appropriate steps regarding those living illegally in the country.

An urgent meeting between the Presiding Officers and the relevant oversight committees of Parliament will be called to determine a parliamentary intervention on the ongoing violent tensions in the country.

Below is the full statement, posted on abiodunborisade.com

“PARLIAMENT CONCERNED BY FLARE-UPS OF VIOLENCE

Parliament, Tuesday 03 September 2019 – The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo, have noted with serious concern the ongoing sporadic violence characterised by tensions between South African communities and foreign nationals in certain parts of the country.

The violence, which is driven by communities on both sides of the tension, has entailed disturbing trends of lawlessness, assaults against our law enforcement officers, retaliatory attacks and looting of shops, amongst others. All these acts of criminality are an antithesis to the rule of law and democracy, and threatens our country’s culture of tolerance, peace and coexistence.

The Presiding Officers have appealed for calm amongst these communities while urging our country’s law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in stopping the mayhem and restoring peace and stability. The law enforcement agencies must act with decisiveness and boldness in ensuring that any lawbreaker is brought to book regardless of nationality.

The Presiding Officers have also appealed to leaders from various sectors to assist in providing the necessary leadership in quelling the disorder, including acting circumspectly in their public comments.

Much has been said about our country’s excessively porous borders and the influx of undocumented foreign nationals. While South Africa continues to be a welcoming nation to foreign nationals, illegal immigrants make the state’s Constitutional obligation which is to prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; and to protect and secure all those who live within its borders difficult to fulfil.

Accordingly, relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies are urged to step up their efforts to curb this phenomenon and take appropriate steps regarding those living illegally in the country.

An urgent meeting between the Presiding Officers and the relevant oversight committees of Parliament will be called to determine a parliamentary intervention on the ongoing violent tensions in the country.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA”