By Olukayode Michael
Nigerians living in South Africa have been advised to leave the country and
return to their fatherland instead of risking being killed.
This advice was given on Tuesday by the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama,
Tegbosin II, a king in Osun State in a statement.
He said Nigerians in South Africa should salvage whatever they can there and
return home to pick up the pieces of their lives instead of being killed since
it appears the attack is premeditated.
He lamented that the the group that continued to attack Nigerians are ingrates
and “despite the show of brotherliness and for being a pillar of support during
the apartheid, the South Africans have not reciprocated the same gesture
towards Nigerian living on their soil.”
Oba Makama called on well meaning Nigerians and various influential groups such
as Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Labour unions, civil society leaders and students
movement to rise up to the occasion and speak out to stem the orgy of violence
being visited on our people in South Africa.
He decried that an indication that the killings were premeditated could be
traced to a statement credited to the Zulu King in South Africa about four
years ago where he incited his people to move against Nigerians for taking up
jobs that ought to be for them.
The monarch said: “It is becoming crystal clear everyday that these
premeditated attacks and killings of our brothers and sisters in South Africa
won’t stop unless we tell them in clear term that we can defend ourselves.
He declared unfortunate a statement credited to the Deputy Minister of Police
in South Africa, Mr Fakile Mbalula, in a video that has gone viral that
Nigerians are not wanted in their land.
He said the police boss was recorded to have stated that: “How can a city in
South Africa be 80% foreign nationals? That is dangerous! South Africa has
surrendered their city (Hilbrow) to foreign nationals. There is nowhere in the
world where you have 80% foreign nationals domiciled in a city. You won’t find
South Africa dominating a city in another country up to 80%. It is a sign of
taken over power and in future, you may have foreign national as your
president. It’s not xenophobic, it’s a matter of principle. We fought for it.”
The monarch lamented that: “It is unbelievable that a country we stood behind
like the Rock of Gibraltar and donated $3million of our hard earned resources
to fight apartheid could turn around and treat us with disdain and unwarranted
attacks and killings like we are witnessing now.
“A country that enjoys a tremendous support and multi billion investments such
as DSTV, MTN, just to mention a few in Nigeria could be killing our people
leaves much to be desired.”
He, however, urged the Federal Government to step up efforts to stop these
unprovoked attacks and killings before our people become agitated and resort to
self -help which may lead to diplomatic row if not well handled.
