[Mhiz Rebecca]

Lulu Mnguni, high commissioner of South Africa to
Nigeria, has apologised to Nigerians, and other
foreigners involved in the recent xenophobic attacks.
In an interview with NAN on Wednesday, Mnguni said
the unjustifiable attacks were a poor representation of
South Africa’s values.
He said the South African government had taken
measures to stop them.
“We reiterate our view that South Africans are generally
not xenophobic,” Mnguni said.
“We are deeply saddened by these acts of violence that
have taken place against the foreign nationals,
especially the Nigerians affected in these communities.
“The South African government is sorry for the
destruction and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
“If they were, we would not have such a high number
of foreign nationals who have successfully integrated
into communities all over the country.
“No amount of anger or frustration can justify the
attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their
shops.”
He said his country’s minister of home affairs had led a
delegation to areas where crisis broke out, and that the
police had been directed to provide security.
“We have dispatched a ministerial delegation to the
affected communities in Johannesburg and Pretoria
which is being led by the minister of home affairs,
Malusi Gigaba, to address the issues in the area,” he
said.
“The South African government is specifically interested
in addressing the alleged claims of illegal activities of
undocumented migrants which have been raised by
communities.
“The police have been directed to work round the clock
to protect both foreign nationals and citizens and to
arrest looters and those committing these acts of
violence.
“The security cluster has been instructed to ensure that
these matters are resolved to the satisfaction of South
Africans and foreign nationals in the communities
bringing about better policing between communities
and authorities.
“We urge communities to assist the police by providing
information on the incidents that have taken place so
that the perpetrators could be brought to justice.
“Our government is doing everything possible to
sensitise all South Africans that the country is an
integral part of Africa and our success or failures
cannot be isolated from that of Africa as a whole.
“We expect any issues of concern to South African
citizens and residents to be resolved through peaceful
dialogue.”
Mnguni added that the complaints made by some
South Africans about some undocumented foreigners
was not enough to attack all foreign nationals,
especially Nigerians.
“The underlining cause is the fact that we have had
complaints about undocumented and illegal immigrants
in the country committing crimes or using small shops
and business places to carry out criminal acts,” he said.
“However, while some foreign nationals, documented
and undocumented, have been arrested in relation to
these claims, it is wrong to regard all foreigners as
being involved with crime in the country.
“Also, not all foreign nationals in the country are there
illegally as many have come to South Africa legally and
have contributed to our economy immensely with
development skills that we might lack.
“Even those who came as refugees escaping conflict in
their home countries have also contributed to the social
development of the country.
“As South Africans are expected to respect the rights
and freedom of anyone on our shores, we also expect
foreign nationals on our shore to abide by the laws and
freedoms of South Africa.
“Our government is also emphasising on the need for
responsible public comments to be made by all leaders,
representatives and public figures so as to prevent
situations like these from happening.
“We don’t want these incidents to discourage
foreigners from coming to South Africa because we
need them to develop a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
“We also want an increase in tourism figures from
countries within and outside the continent and to
promote sustainable economic development in Africa
through business opportunities.
“So many countries helped us in our fight against
apartheid so it would be wrong to fight against these
same nationals in our country.
“We can’t afford to forget where we are coming from
so we are promoting this unity so that we can develop
our respective countries and Africa as a whole.’’
Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2017/02/
xenophobic-attacks-south-african.html?m=1