By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigerians living in South Africa under the aegis of Nigerian Citizens Association of South Africa (NICASA) have condemned the invasion of their country’s consulate in Johannesburg by the police and energy company, City Power, stating that it is xenophobic and unacceptable.
Heritage Times HT reports that the company with the security cover of the Johannesburg Metro Police, had on Jan. 18, invaded Nigeria’s diplomatic premises in Johannesburg, and disconnected its public power supply source; over alleged backlog of unpaid bills.
“There cannot be any plausible excuse to warrant the invasion of Nigeria Consulate General; the action is very retrogressive, xenophobic and avoidable”, NICASA Secretary General, Kareem Tunde said in a statement.
NICASA while expressing displeasure over the invasion of the property of the Nigerian consulate, said it was a deliberate attempt to embarrass their country’s authorities.
“We condemn the unwarranted actions by City Power and the Police cohort on the property of the Consulate of Nigeria.
“It is clear that City Power was out to embarrass and humiliate Nigeria and Nigerian citizens in the place,” Tunde said.
He decried actions by City Power, saying if they could invade the Consulate of any country without consequences, then the Police could do same.
The association expressed fear that the Police could as well go into any Consulate and make arrest without respect for the Vienna Convention on consular relations.
“We hope the government of the two countries will take strong action against those responsible over this reprehensible act to avoid reoccurrence.
“NICASA will like to advise our citizens to remain calm, the matter is being handled diplomatically by the Consular General and will be resolved satisfactorily,” Tunde added.
Similarly, Nigeria Union in Gauteng described the act as disrespectful to the Vienne Convention on Diplomatic Missions.
The union in a statement, observed similar situation occurred on Dec. 11, 2011, but that the allegedly heavily armed Police from Bramley Police Station were denied access by consular officials.
It cautioned against future recurrence of this, threatening that the union would have no other choice than to mobilize the community to a peaceful protest.
