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Tag: South Africa

  • Xenophobia: South African police bags 32-year jail term for robbing, killing Nigerian

    Xenophobia: South African police bags 32-year jail term for robbing, killing Nigerian

    Austin Reynold, a South African Police Constable who robbed and killed a Nigerian, Emeka Okoli, was on Monday sentenced to 32 years in prison by a Durban High Court.

    The court sentenced the policeman three days after he was found guilty of robbing and killing the late Okoli during an illegal raid in the community where the deceased resided.

    The court sentenced Reynold to seven years for counts of robbery and 25 years for the count of murder.

    Reacting to the judgment by Justice Shyam Gyanda, the Nigerian community in South Africa welcomed the sentencing/jailing of the South African police officer who shot at close range and killed Okoli.

    He was reported to have killed the Nigerian of Anambra extraction on Jan. 18, 2018.

    “The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) is vindicated with the sentencing of Constable Austin Reynold.

    “We were at the scene of the murder on Jan. 19, 2018 to ensure that our people didn’t take the law in their own hands,’’ NUSA President, Adetola Olubajo said in a statement.

    “We later ensured that a murder case was registered at Durban Police Station and the case was charged to court immediately due to the cooperation of the investigating officer at Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPDI).

    “I led a delegation of the National Executive of Nigerian Union South Africa from Pretoria to Durban Magistrates’ Court on Jan. 21, 2018 where the bail application was heard.

    “And since then we have been following the case, attending the trial with the head of our Legal Desk.’’

    He said that the colleague of Reynold, Brinley Pallo, who was with him when he shot and killed Okoli later turned state witness.

    “We are delighted and welcomed the outcome of the trial because our labour did not go in vain and this case will serve as a deterrent to rogue elements within the South African Police Service.

    “We give special thanks to Mr Omoreige Ogboro, the Legal Adviser of the union, who travelled from Pretoria to Durban on several occasions to watch the brief in court.

    “Also, to IPID for their cooperation. NUSA is also keenly following and attending the trial of eight police officers charged with the murder of the late Badmus Olalekan Ibrahim.

    “The trial was postponed to April 13, 2020. We are very optimistic that justice will be served in the murder case of Ibrahim and we call on all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding,’’ Olubajo said.

  • Another Nigerian killed, 2 others injured in South Africa

    The Nigerian community in South Africa has again been thrown into mourning following the killing by unkown gun men of one of its members who also left two others injured.

    Mr Odefa Ikele, the National Spokesperson of Nigerian Union South Africa, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    Ikele said the incident that led to the death of Mr Chikamso Ufordi, who hailed from Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and injuries sustained by the two others happened at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Nigel.

    Nigel is a small gold mining town in Gauteng Province, East Rand near Johannesburg.

    “One of the witness informed us that the deceased, Mr Chikamso Ufordi, from Awgu LGA Enugu State was trailed by some unknown gun men, and was shot point blank while in his car with two other Nigerian friends.

    “His friends also sustained injuries, but the late Chikamso died immediately before help could arrive from the province’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team.

    “The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital. A case of murder and attempted murder have already been opened at Nigel Police Cluster,’’ Ikele told NAN on telephone.

    It will be recalled that three Nigerians were among other foreign nationals who on Oct. 22, suffered from fresh xenophobic attacks on foreigners in different locations of Witbank, Mpumanlaga Province, South Africa.

    The Oct. 22 attacks came on the heels of efforts by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure they found amicable and lasting solution to the xenophobia in the latter’s country.

    Such peace efforts saw Buhari visiting Ramaphosa and holding a town hall meeting with the Nigerian community.

    They were reported to have been killed by groups made up of community members and taxi drivers who went to different areas in Witbank attacking foreign-owned businesses and foreigners.

  • Burna Boy backtracks, to perform in S’Africa despite xenophobic threats

    Burna Boy backtracks, to perform in S’Africa despite xenophobic threats

    Damini Ogulu, Nigerian Afro-fusion singer better known as Burna Boy, will be performing in South Africa, months after he had vowed not to step foot in the country.

    The award-winning singer had on September 3, threatened to shun the country over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    In the wake of the heightened xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Burna Boy had also threatened AKA, a South Africa rapper, over some perceived “xenophobic statements” made by him on Twitter during Nigeria’s defeat of the country at the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    “I have been away from social media personally until today. Ordinarily, at a time like this, I should come here and say something to try and calm the situation because my dream has always been to unite Africa and make us realize that we will Literally rule the world together,” he had written.

    “But today, after watching the killing of my people in South Africa the same way we have all watched it happen a few times in the past, fuck all that! I personally have had my own xenophobic experiences at the hands of South Africans and because of that, I have not set foot in SA since 2017.

    “And I will not ever go to South Africa again for any reason until the South African government wakes the fuck up and really performs a miracle because I don’t know how they can even possibly fix this. This goes against everything I stand for.

    “But at what point do we take action? I understand that years of oppression have confused South Africans to the point where they see the people who came to their defense during their oppression as their enemies and then worship their oppressors!”

     

     

    Following reports that Burna Boy would be performing at the Africans Unite concert scheduled to hold in Cape Town and Tshwane next month, AKA took to Twitter to insult him the for backtracking on his words.

     

     

     

  • Xenophobia: You are safe now, Buhari assures Nigerians in South Africa

    Xenophobia: You are safe now, Buhari assures Nigerians in South Africa

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday reassured Nigerians living in South Africa that measures had been taken to prevent a reoccurrence of xenophobic attacks against them.

    Apart from reported deaths, many Nigerians have lost properties and their means of livelihood to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

    Buhari, during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in South Africa, noted that the South African authorities have expressed their apologies and resolved to take necessary steps to end the ugly trend.

    He said: “The recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa. It was an embarrassment to the continent.

    “Let me again use this medium to console the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace.

    “I also commiserate with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathies are also with those who have lost properties.

    “As a government, we are quite disturbed by this very unfortunate event and have taken actions and measures to address the issue and prevent its reoccurrence with the South African government.

    “I had earlier directed the evacuation of Nigerians who do not feel safe to remain here.

    “Over five hundred have returned home and are being reintegrated into their communities.

    “At this juncture, I wish to express my profound gratitude to Chief Allen Onyeama the Chairman of Airpeace Airlines, who showed compassion and patriotism by immediately offering to evacuate our Nigerian brothers and sisters who had been affected by these xenophobic attacks.

    “During my visit here, we have discussed these attacks on foreigners and Nigerians. The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship.”

    According to him, the two countries have just inaugurated the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission at the level of Heads of State “with a firm determination to further bring our two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership.

    “Let us therefore give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence.”

    Buhari also called on all Nigerians to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities while they live in South Africa.

    “May I also enjoin the few that sometimes gives us a bad name to desist from such misdemeanours and be our good ambassadors,” he said

    He told the gathering that he always has his three messages for all Nigerians in diaspora.

    He said: “First you are our Ambassadors and the face of our country to the world wherever you are. The world is therefore watching you and would make judgments on Nigeria based on your comportment and actions.

    “Second, in whatever legitimate engagement you find yourself, you must strive to excel and be the best.

    “Third, while you are out in the Diaspora, do not forget home. You represent some of the best human asset that Nigeria has. With your education and exposure to the world, you are at the cutting edge of technology. I, therefore, urge you to use your resources, skills and talents to help the development of Nigeria.”

    Buhari said that his administration established a dedicated agency, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, to guide them in actualising their willing contributions to the development of Nigeria.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja from South Africa

    Buhari returns to Abuja from South Africa

    President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Abuja on Friday after a three-day official visit to South Africa.

    While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader held bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

    The two African leaders also co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the 9th Bi-National Commission at the seat of government, Union Building, Pretoria, on Thursday.

    At the meeting, President Buhari urged the South African government to open up its economy to allow the influx of more Nigerian businesses.

    The Nigerian President also urged the South African government to create a business environment that would guarantee their safety.

    While stressing the need for reciprocity in promoting trade and investment between both countries, President Buhari said that South African companies had enjoyed not only the unfettered access to the Nigerian market, but protection and enabling laws as well.

    In his remarks, President Ramaphosa said that the attacks on foreign nationals by his countrymen was regrettable.

    He gave the Nigerian President the assurance that his government would do more to safeguard lives and property.

    A Banquet was also organised for President Buhari by the South African government on Thursday night.

    While expressing appreciation for what he described as ‘legendary South African hospitality’, Buhari invited President Ramaphosa to pay a state visit to Nigeria for ”a return match where we as the Super Eagles will surely revenge against you the Bafana Bafana!”

    ”Mr President and dear brother, as I said, you have overwhelmed me and my delegation with your legendary South African hospitality.”

    Before he left Pretoria, today, the president had met with Nigerians in that country where he advised Nigerians in The Diaspora to always remember their country with skills, resources and talents, and work towards living decent and dignified lives that bring honour to their fatherland.

    The President said he was shocked at the outbreak of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    “The recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa.

    “It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole with the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace,’’ he added.

    President Buhari also commiserated with those who were injured, praying for their quick recovery, and sympathized with those who lost property and other valuables.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned in the strongest terms, attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

    He also condemned the looting of their shops and businesses and burning of their properties.

    President Buhari, who had since retired to his official residence at the Aso Rock, will on Saturday preside over extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

  • Xenophobic attacks on foreigners an embarrassment to Africa – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday in Pretoria that the wave of deadly violence against foreign nationals including Nigerians in South Africa last month was an embarrassment to the continent.

    According to details of his speech on the Nigerian presidency’s Twitter page, President Buhari stated this at a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in South Africa.

    In September, rioting and attacks on foreigners led to at least 10 deaths, dozens of injuries and hundreds of arrests, triggering anger at home and abroad.

    “The recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa.

    “It was an embarrassment to the continent.

    “As a government, we are quite disturbed by these very unfortunate events and have taken actions and measures to address this issue and prevent their a recurrence with the South African government,” he added.

    Following the attacks, Buhari ordered the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians wanting to return home and around 600 people were repatriated.

    Buhari met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday.

    Both leaders expressed regret at the violence in South Africa and the subsequent reprisals in Nigeria against South African businesses, pledging instead to deepen trade ties.

    Buhari called for peace at the town hall meeting.

    “The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship.

    “Let us, therefore, give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence,” he said.

  • Buhari advocates strong Nigeria, S/Africa relationship for delivering of ‘Africa we want’

    Buhari advocates strong Nigeria, S/Africa relationship for delivering of ‘Africa we want’

    President Muhammadu Buhari says a strong strategic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa can become the engine for the rapid economic, political, social, cultural development of Africa, thereby delivering ‘the Africa we want’.

    The Nigerian leader stated this at State Banquet organised in his honour by the South African government on the occasion of his three-day official visit to South Africa on Thursday night in Pretoria.

    According to him, the building blocks for the Africa we want are being systematically put in place, thanks to the political will of African leaders over many years.

    ”The process began with the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) on July 9, 2002. A key objective of this transformation was to have a union of the peoples of Africa rather than a unity of African leaders,” he said.

    The president noted that under the former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosozana Dlamini Zuma, African Heads of State and Government signed the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the OAU/AU in May 2013.

    Buhari said the Declaration marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the attainment of the Pan-African Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.

    ”Agenda 2063 is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this Vision within a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063.

    ”Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s aspirations for the future but also identifies key Programmes, which can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.

    According to him, it is in this context that a number of flagship projects, which represent building blocks towards the Africa we want, were launched.

    He cited some of the flagship projects to include: Establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); The African Passport and Free Movement of People and Establishment of a Single African Air-Transport Market ( SAATM).

    The Nigerian leader also observed that before Agenda 2063, there was ‘The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).’

    NEPAD was an initiative of the former Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that came into being in 2001 with South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal and Algeria as its sponsors.

    ”I have highlighted these two landmark initiatives to show that Nigeria and South Africa not only share the same vision for Africa and its peoples but have been close partners in the formulation and implementation of this vision,” he added.

    President Buhari also went further back in recent history, during the dark days of the fight against apartheid, saying ”Nigeria was formally designated a Frontline State, notwithstanding the fact that we were not geographically in Southern Africa”.

    He opined that this was rather in recognition of the political, human and material support and sacrifices of the Nigerian Government and people.

    He maintained that Nigerian workers, students and the Government made great contributions and stood shoulder to shoulder with the peoples of Southern Africa in their struggles against colonialism and apartheid.

    ”We hosted several South African students in our universities, including for a while, Teboho “Tsietsi” MacDonald Mashinini of the Soweto uprising fame. Nigerian students and workers contributed money from their salaries and stipends for the cause of Southern African liberation.

    ”In 1979, Nigeria nationalized Britain’s shareholding in British Petroleum Nigeria for, among other reasons, doing business with the apartheid regime in South Africa, as well as its policies in the then Rhodesia, which had a serious adverse effect on British economy.

    ”We in Nigeria are very proud that we stood with the people of Southern Africa in their hour of need. As they say, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

    ”We are also very proud that together with South Africa and other African countries, as brothers and partners, we are today charting an exciting new path towards the Africa we want,” he said.

    On the high-level Bi-National Commission, President Buhari described the Commission as an important framework for Nigeria and South Africa to institutionalize their partnership and to address concretely every aspect of that relationship.

    He further observed: ”As the two largest economies on the continent, there are many areas in which we can share experiences, invest and cooperate.

    “Ours is a relationship full of potential and promise and this can only be a win-win for our peoples and for Africa at large.

    ”The Bi-National Commission will also make it easier for us to keep on the same page as we march forward, hand in hand, as one people with a shared vision and one destiny.”

    While expressing appreciation for what he described as ‘legendary South African hospitality’, President Buhari invited President Ramaphosa to pay a state visit to Nigeria for ”a return match where we as the Super Eagles will surely revenge against you the Bafana Bafana!”

    ”Mr President and dear brother, as I said, you have overwhelmed me and my delegation with your legendary South African hospitality.”

  • South Africa Grants Air Peace Daily Operational Licence

    South Africa Grants Air Peace Daily Operational Licence

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja
    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has said that the South African Government has granted request for the Nigerian Designated Airline, Air Peace to commence commercial flights to Johannesburg, South Africa.
    The confirmation was granted in the process of ascertaining the level of implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and South Africa at the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the 9th Session of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday 27th September, 2019.
    Spokesman of the Ministry Mr Ferdinand Nwonye made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
    He said that the proprietor of Air Peace Airlines, Chief Allen Onyema has also confirmed that the airline would commence operation as soon as possible to promote air travel between Nigeria and South Africa.
  • Obasanjo tells evacuated Nigerians to return to South Africa

    Obasanjo tells evacuated Nigerians to return to South Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in the Rainbow Nation to get ready to go back.

    This is because he is confident the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, next month will yield a positive outcome.

    The ex-Head of State said Buhari and Ramaphosa should be ready to make the right statements that would encourage the Nigerians who returned home to go back to South Africa.

    Obasanjo said this on Saturday in his Abeokuta residence when asked by reporters what he discussed with Ramaphosa last week.

    He said Ramaphosa told him that he and Buhari would discuss how xenophobic attacks on Nigerians could be stopped.

    Obasanjo said, “I took the opportunity of being in South Africa to actually pay a courtesy call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and he quickly granted me the opportunity. One of the major things we discussed was this issue of xenophobia or Afrophobia.

    “The President told me that there was so much at stake and whatever mistake we had made, we had to correct it. And I think that was a very good statement and I know that he meant it, because he immediately said ‘what can we do or should we do?’”

    He advised South Africans to tread softly on the issue of foreigners seeking opportunities in their country.

    He said, “The idea of thinking or saying that foreigners are taking your jobs should be killed, because most of these foreigners paid something into the country.

    “I met more than two Nigerians who are doing legitimate businesses and the turnover runs into millions of dollars and they employed 50 to 60 South Africans.

    “All these must be expressed and must be shown that Nigerians in South Africa are not drug peddlers and criminals; there are many of them that are genuine businessmen and professionals and who are making meaningful contributions to the economy and the social life of that country.

    “I think that is all we must be doing and be saying and my joy is that President Cyril Ramaphosa is ready to do what needs to be done to stop these incidents and to put the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa on the right track.

    “One of the things they are going to do between South Africa and Nigeria is that they are going to have what we established during my tenure – that we called bilateral commission.”

    On the Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, Obasanjo said, “I hope they will go back to South Africa from what I heard from President Ramaphosa. Like I said, the meeting that President Buhari and President Ramaphosa will have during the first week of October should smooth the ground. And the right statements and the right action coming from both sides should encourage our people to go back.

    “But, as I have always said that Nigerians living outside Nigeria must try to be good citizens of wherever they live.”

    According to him, Ramophosa is ready to bring back the mutual understanding between Nigeria and South Africa.

    He said, “I believe the President of South Africa did the right thing to quickly send emissaries to apologise to the countries that were affected (xenophobic attacks), countries like Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique and I think this was good.”

    Obasanjo said Nigeria spearheaded the fight against apartheid in South Africa to ensure that the black man was not treated like a second-class citizen anywhere in the world.

  • Xenophobia: Obasanjo parleys Ramaphosa in South Africa [Photos]

    Xenophobia: Obasanjo parleys Ramaphosa in South Africa [Photos]

    After his recent letter to Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, South African politician and Zulu tribal leader about the demerits of xenophobia, former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo has visited South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

    Obasanjo also used the visit to present to Ramaphosa a new book that Obasanjo co-authored with Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation in South Africa; Jeffrey Herbst, a celebrated Africanist; and Tendai Biti, the former finance minister of Zimbabwe.

    The book is titled “Democracy Works: Rewiring Politics to Africa’s Advantage”.

    President Ramaphosa thanked the former President for working hard and still having the energy to write and contribute to current debates about the development of Africa.

    The two leaders also used the opportunity to reflect on recent events in South Africa which saw more than four hundred Nigerians voluntarily evacuated from the country.

    “Former president Obasanjo expressed his sincere appreciation of President Ramaphosa’s recent appointment of a team of special envoys who have in the past few days visited a number of fellow African states to deliver a message from the president regarding the incidents of violence,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko.

    “In the meeting, the leaders engaged on misconceptions created about the situation in South Africa that gave the impression that Nigerian nationals in particular had been victimised. No loss of life was reported among Nigerian nationals in South Africa during this period.