ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa President reacts to xenophobic attacks, says: “this must stop immediately”

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africans should realise that if they attack foreigners at home, their fellow South Africans can be attacked in other countries.

President Ramaphosa condemns xenophobic attacks in his country (AFP)

President of South Africa, Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, has condemned the recent spate of violence in South Africa that has targeted Nigerians and other migrants.

Over 50 shops, mostly owned by Nigerians, were looted and burnt in the Johannesburg and Pretoria suburbs in three days, as locals chanted pro-xenophobic songs and bayed for blood.

In the last hour, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Monroe, has been summoned by the Nigerian federal government for explanations.

Ramaphosa says attacks of businesses of foreign nationals in South Africa is “totally unacceptable and is something we cannot allow to happen in South Africa”. 

ADVERTISEMENT

He adds that the attacks are “against the ethos that we as South Africans espouse and there can be no justification whatsoever. When South Africans attack foreign nationals here, they should also know that fellow South Africans can be attacked in other countries. 

“We are a country that is completely committed against xenophobia. We do not allow and cannot tolerate attacks of people from other countries or other African countries. 

“These attacks are completely against the rule of law. 

"I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way”, President Ramaphosa adds. 

The South African leader admits that the violence is now “mutating and representing themselves in different forms that we do not want to see in South Africa.

“We want this to stop and I want this to stop immediately. We need to act in a way where we show respect to people from other countries and show them that they are welcome to be in our country”. 

ADVERTISEMENT

President Buhari has dispatched a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa for a firsthand appraisal of the situation.

“The Special Envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, September 5, 2019”, the Nigerian presidency announced. 

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT