The
Global Forum for Human Rights and Sustainable Development, a nonprofit
and non governmental organization has condemned the attacks and the
killing innocent Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in South
Africa in the recent violent Xenophobic attacks in the country. The
organization, in a press statement issued by its General Secretary,
Keshiro Morenike Kaosarat and made available to the journalists
described the act as reckless, barbaric and condemnable.
''It
is very sad and disheartening that the lives of Nigerians and other
nationals residing in South Africa are being wasted with such
carelessness and recklessness'', she stated adding that according to
United Nations declaration, "everyone has the right to freedom of
movement and residence within borders of each state".
She
harped that other Nationals of any country have right to live in any
country of his or her choice, saying South Africans should stop the
dastard attacks against Nigerians and others who live, work and reside
in South Africa. While accusing the South African government and its
security agencies for tactically supporting their citizens in the evil
act, the organisation's scribe pointed out that ''up till now, nothing
has been done by the South African government as regards to the
interview granted by the former Deputy Minister of Police, Bongani
Mkongi, where he incited South African citizens against other foreign
nationals residing in South Africa''.
Bongani
was quoted as saying: 'How can a city (Hilbrow) in South Africa be 80%
foreign Nationals? That is dangerous, we have surrendered our city to
foreign Nationals. There is no where in the world where you have 80%
foreign nationals domiciled in a city. You won't find South Africans in
other countries dominating a city into 80%. This is a sign of taken over
power and in future, you may have foreign national as your President.
It's not Xenophobic, to talk true but a matter of principle. We fought
for it".
''Despite
the fact South African government promised to sanction him. This has
been swept under the rug. The South African Government is not clean,
they giving them support.
This
is not the ideology and the principle laid down by Iconic Dr. Nelson
Mandela. This is not the practice in the United States of America,
Canada, United kingdom and other countries'', the statement added.
She
therefore, tasks Nigerian government to be proactive in defending the
rights of their citizens in any part of the world. ''Our government has
not done enough, there are a lot of steps to be taken to put a total
stop to this wanton attacks and killings''.
In
2012, during the former President Goodluck Jonathan regime, South
Africa deported 125 Nigerians over allegations that they were "bringing
yellow fever to South Africa ". The Nigerian government immediately
deported 80 South Africans back and blocked off entry for other South
Africans trying to get into Nigeria, telling them that South Africa has a
HIV problem and Nigeria could not afford to have them over here. In
less than a week the South African government apologised to Nigeria over
the incident.
Morenike,
however appeals to Nigerian Youths to remain calm and not to destroy
the South African investments in Nigeria, explaining that doing so will
amount to anarchy and this may result in unemployment on the part of
those who were gainfully employed by these companies.
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