President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has condemned the Xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals especially Nigerians in some part of the country.
Mr. Ramaphosa said the police have been put on alert in a bid to stall further acts of violence that might be conceived.
“We express our deep pain, support, solidarity and love to the families, friends and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives in the last month (Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegels, Nolunde Vumsindo, Meghan Cremer, Jesse Hess to mention but a few).
“Our security forces are on high alert. Whilst in no way, can we take away the sense of deep loss and unbearable pain you experience, as a country we commit ourselves to continue to work tirelessly to building the kind of South Africa, where indeed women and children will be safe.
“Since 2018, gender-based violence and femicide has been placed squarely on the national agenda as the crisis that it is. Arising from the marches organized by #TheTotalShutDown on 1 August 2018, we organized a Presidential #GBVFSummit on 1-2 November 2018.
“Arising from the Presidential Summit, a #GBVFDeclaration was developed and signed by myself & a range of representatives from civil society; an Interim Structure was established in January 2019, made up of representatives of civil society networks & government departments.
READ: Xenophobic Attacks: Buhari sends Special Envoy to South Africa
“A Rapid Response Team was established to be responsive to systemic and some of the immediate issues that arose from the survivors who spoke out at the Summit – a rapid response model was also taken forward in the Eastern Cape,” his statement said in part.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has noted with deep concern, reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.
He has since sent a Special Envoy to South Africa led by Foreign Affairs Minister. “Consequently, the President has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property,” a statement by hi spokesperson said.
