The Senate on Wednesday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to recall the Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Ambassador S.S Yusuf, to protest the current xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by some indigenes of the Southern African country.
The upper legislators stated this as part of their resolutions on a motion moved on behalf of all members by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma – Egba.
The senators also called on the Federal Government to drag the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, before the International Criminal Court over his alleged role in the unfortunate development.
The federal lawmakers condemned the actions of the South Africans and asked its committee on foreign affairs, to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aminu Wali, to brief them on the situation and measures being taken to safeguard the lives of Nigerians in South African.
They urged the federal government to pressurise the South African government to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to justice and ensure adequate protection of Nigerians and their investments in that country.
They also demanded full compensation for the families who had lost members and those who lost property as a result of these attacks.
Presenting the motion, Ndoma-Egba said the Senate noted with anxiety the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in parts of Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa by locals on African Immigrants which has led to the death of no fewer than seven persons.
He said the South Africans engaged in massive looting and destruction of foreigners’ properties, a situation, he lamented, had forced hundreds of migrants to relocate to police stations across the country.
He expressed concern that Nigerians living in South Africa have been seriously affected by this crisis as no fewer than 50 have been reportedly rendered homeless after being displaced by these attacks and about 300 others displaced near Johannesburg.
As of the last count, he said, properties and Nigerian businesses worth millions of naira had been destroyed.
He recalled that prior to 1994, immigrants faced discrimination and even violence in South Africa, due to apartheid but that contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia had increased.
He said, “Between 2000 and March 2008, at least 67 people died in what were identified as xenophobic attacks. Likewise, in May 2008, a series of riots motivated by xenophobia left 62 people dead.”
He noted that the recent wave of attacks was precipitated by the comments of a renowned Zulu King.
He also said while the barbaric acts were going on, some members of the South African Security Forces who ought to quell the violence, protect victims and prevent the violence from escalating were pictured encouraging the perpetrators to continue in their dastardly acts.
He further expressed concern that despite the sacrifices made by Nigeria to put an end to apartheid and ensure the emancipation of South Africa, its nationals have continued to maltreat and humiliate Nigerians without a just cause.
Senate President, David Mark, described what is happening in South Africa as totally unacceptable, and unexpected.
He said, “My humble suggestion will be that South Africa should not stretch us beyond our elastic limit on this matter. There is a limit beyond which the nation will not accept what is happening in South Africa.
“If we go beyond that limit then Nigeria will be forced to act otherwise. All of you have very clearly enumerated the assistance we gave to South Africa to liberate them when they had their crises.
“Students contributed, we accommodated so many of them, we gave them scholarships. For them to repay us this way I think it is totally unacceptable and uncalled for; we need to stand up also for all other Africans in South Africa.
“The African Parliament must take this up seriously; we cannot have a situation where one king gets up and begins to say that people should go away, that is preaching hatred and is unacceptable.
“I agree with most of you that we have a responsibility to protect our citizens, in fact that is our first responsibility and we must do that without thinking twice.”
Mark described the pictures making the rounds on Xenophobia as barbaric and therefore urged that all those involved must be punished.
He insisted that South Africa must show Nigeria and the rest of Africa that they have taken legal steps against those who are involved.
He also said that the Senate should also transmit its resolutions to the South African Parliament. NAN
