By Emmanuel Nduka
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has called on Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in the country to respect its laws, customs, and traditions, amid renewed anti-foreigner tensions in parts of the nation.
Speaking in a televised Freedom Day address aired on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC News), Ramaphosa said immigrants who are legally resident must conduct themselves in line with South African values and legal frameworks.
“To those who are here legally, respect us as South Africans, respect our laws, respect our conventions and our traditions, as you would want us to respect the laws and traditions of your own country,” he said.
The President reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to human rights and international cooperation but stressed that authorities would not hesitate to enforce immigration laws, particularly against those residing in the country unlawfully. He urged citizens to allow due process to take its course.
“We have already set in place mechanisms to deal with those who are in our country illegally. We remain committed to multilateralism, respect for international law, and principled diplomacy,” Ramaphosa stated.
Highlighting the importance of global legal frameworks, he noted that international law remains a vital safeguard for nations regardless of their size or influence.
“International law was born from the devastation of global conflict. It is a shield for all countries in the world,” he added, emphasising that true multilateralism requires respect for diversity while upholding sovereignty, human rights, accountability, and peaceful coexistence.
Ramaphosa’s remarks come against the backdrop of protests and reported attacks targeting foreign nationals in cities including Durban, Cape Town, and East London, as well as parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where incidents of looting and violence have been recorded.
However, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, has downplayed fears of a coordinated attack on Nigerians, insisting the situation remains under control.
“Right now Nigerians are not under siege in South Africa. The situation is currently under control. The governments are working on it,” Ajayi said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
He described the incidents as isolated, urging Nigerians to remain cautious but not panic, while assuring that both Nigerian and South African authorities are collaborating to ensure the safety of citizens.
Reacting to viral videos showing foreigners allegedly being harassed or denied access to certain premises, Ajayi dismissed the actions as the work of a few individuals.
“Those people you are seeing don’t represent the entire South African community. They are just people acting on their paymasters,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has issued safety advisories to Nigerians in South Africa, urging them to remain law-abiding and avoid confrontations.
The commission advised citizens to steer clear of protest areas, refrain from engaging demonstrators, and closely monitor local media for real-time updates, noting that some protests in affected cities have turned violent, resulting in looting and property damage.
It also urged Nigerian business owners to take precautionary measures, adding that the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg remains operational and is working with local authorities to safeguard lives and property.
NiDCOM further disclosed that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is engaging her South African counterpart in diplomatic efforts to address the situation.
