Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, has assured that Nigerians in the country are not under siege despite recent xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, Ajayi said both the Nigerian and South African governments were actively working together to ensure the safety of citizens and foreigners.
He said: “Let me first make the point that right now Nigerians are not under siege in South Africa.
“The situation is currently under control.
“The governments are working on it.
“The two governments are working on it.
“Actually, the priority right now is to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen, including foreigners.”
His comments followed recent anti-foreigner protests and violence reported in parts of South Africa, including Durban, Cape Town and East London, where there were reports of assaults, looting of foreign-owned shops and calls for immigrants to leave.
Ajayi described the incidents as isolated tension that required caution, not a widespread attack on Nigerians.
He said: “What we have seen is a kind of isolated tension, and that is why it calls for caution.
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“But in terms of direct attack or direct siege on Nigerians, that is not taking place right now.
“There have been some concerns about foreigners, in terms of people targeting foreigners.
“But the government has come out to issue a statement on that, particularly the police commissioner, and cautioned people against targeting foreigners and xenophobic practices.”
Speaking from Pretoria, the envoy said the situation remained calm in the city and also in Johannesburg.
He said: “For now, I am particularly in Pretoria right now, and the situation is relatively calm. Also in Johannesburg, it is calm.
“So what we had before was an isolated uprising in KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, which was contained, and which informed the prompt response by the government in terms of issuing that directive to the people.
“We have also issued some advisories, which call for caution.”
Reacting to a video circulating on social media which allegedly showed Nigerians and other foreigners being denied access to a building, Ajayi said those involved did not represent the South African population.
He said: “Those people you are seeing don’t represent the entire South African community. They are just people acting on their paymasters.
“We have issued a lot of advisories to our people in terms of remaining calm, obeying, and respecting the local laws and customs.”
The Federal Government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, had earlier issued advisories urging Nigerians to exercise caution, remain indoors where necessary and, in some cases, temporarily shut down businesses.
