Nigeria will begin evacuation of its citizens from South Africa this week over xenophobic attacks on immigrants from other African countries, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.
Nigerians who are interested in returning to their country have been told to contact the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
The tribal Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, was alleged to have said foreigners should leave the country in a speech on March 20, which led to the uprising.
A statement issued by the by the Nigerian Office in Pretoria on Friday, which was obtained by our correspondent, called on nationals in the country to contact the office through telephone or Twitter.
Meanwhile the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs has called for drastic action by the Federal Government.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Friday told SUNDAY PUNCH that there was the need for Nigeria to reciprocate South Africans’ treatment on Nigerians.
She said, “We have asked that the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa be recalled for further consultation. This thing (xenophobic attacks) is not just happening; it has been on for a long time. We cannot live in a state of denial.
“Two, further attacks must stop. (President Jacob) Zuma must ensure that there are no further attacks.
“Three, the principle of reciprocity must prevail. Mozambique has started retaliating with the South Africans in their country.
“We don’t have to get to that level but at a stage, we have to apply the principle of reciprocity.”
Speaking further on the reciprocity, Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria should apply same measure of South Africa’s treatment of Nigerian investors in the country.
She said, “It is something Nigerians will have to take on. We know that Oando and Dangote are listed on the South African Stock Exchange but they are not thriving. They (South Africa) will not allow them to be patronised. Zenith Bank and Union Bank have tried to set up business there but they refused, yet we have Stanbic (IBTC) here.
“What DSTV is doing here; no Nigerian can do it in South Africa. Shoprite is opening all over the place; you (a Nigerian) cannot do that in South Africa; they will frustrate you. So, why are we not doing the same thing?”
According to her, if the Nigerian government has not been this weak, Nigerians would be safer. “Because Nigeria has not taken a strong action, that is why it will continue to happen,” she stated.
Dabiri-Erewa lamented that there were many Nigerians in South African prisons “who should not be there.”
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