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”
View Comments (1)
This is becoming unbearable , this lawlessness by the South Africans must be stoped, I have noted the ignorance of Love and peace from the people of South Africa, I have noted the pretense and culture of their leaders who sees violence as a tool of civilization , I have noted the elites of South Africa ignoring the principles of civilization by speaking from the side of their mouth from their parliament, I have noted that hate is what they call freedom, I have noted they have no respect from their elders , it is a shame for a man to bite the fingers that feeds him.
To my people the Government of Nigeria, this is no more grammar speaking as usual, What dose it take our home and foreign affairs office to study the culture of this Nation call South Africa, people who can betray you with a cup of coffee, people who believe that there is non beside them.
The Government of Nigeria today should know that diplomacy and long grammar has failed in our relationship with South African nation, it is time to call a spade a spade:
The United States of America will not allow you to kill their citizen from 1 to over 200 people, United state will engage you from day one with an Olive branch of diplomatic round table talks, The Government of United States understands what human dignity means , and they will make You to understand that Democracy is About freedom, security, love and peace , when all these round table Diplomacy fails, the Government of United States will inform
It’s citizens to stay away from Regions that gives treats to the lives and properties of the people of the American Citizens, they will not allow 1,2,3.4,5,6,7,8,9, citizens life to be in danger talk more loss of life before they take decision to provide immediate safety to their people, Nigerian Government represented by Madam Abike Dabri day in day out talking about the issue of Nigerian lives and property in the Nation of South Africa, that was the voice of the Government and people of Nigeria, the question is? Was that voice heard? Was there any Diplomatic achievement? The answer is NO! Now tell me why would the federal Government send a diplomatic talk to South Africa? To me that was a disrespect to our president, that was a let down to our foreign affairs office, who gave this advise? where were you since the lose Of over 200 innocent Nigerian lives in South Africa , I therefore ask the federal Government to half such move and recall our High commissioner to South Africa, this diplomacy MUST start now with a red flag to South African government because they have crossed the RED LINE.
I appeal to the federal government, I call on the president of the federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately despatch 10 Civilian aircrafts to airlift Nigerians back home, these men and women with their families have lost all their investments in South Africa , they have no place of safety , this should be done now before it is too late, we will
Not allow another Libya , Nigerian
Government did it in Equatorial Guinea, our president Mohammed Buhari you did it in Libya, We will not allow this
To Continue, there will be another 60’s and 70’s for the South African Nation, is a matter of time