Aniefiok Christopher
Senator Victor Umeh said South Africa is worse than ingrates, and condemned xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, accusing some South Africans of forgetting Nigeria’s historical support during the struggle against apartheid.
Speaking on the issue during an interview on Channels TV, the senator argued that Nigeria should take stronger action against South Africa, including reconsidering the continued presence of South African businesses in the country.
“South Africans are worse than ingrates. We can send them away from here, including their businesses. Who cares? There’s nothing they are doing in Nigeria that we cannot do ourselves.”
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Umeh said Nigeria would not collapse if South African companies were asked to leave, arguing that Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs have the capacity to fill any gaps created. He specifically pointed to the digital sector, saying Nigeria has the ability to compete and develop its own solutions rather than relying on foreign companies.
According to him, some South Africans who now accuse foreigners of taking jobs are targeting opportunities that were not available to many citizens during apartheid.
The Senator recalled that during apartheid, many South Africans worked in low-paying and menial roles, while Nigerians viewed the system as unjust and supported efforts to help liberate the country.
Umeh said Nigerians stood with South Africans during difficult times and criticised what he described as a lack of appreciation for that support. He further warned that South Africa risks becoming isolated if xenophobic attacks continue, saying international rejection could force the country to reflect on its actions.
“South Africa is becoming a pariah state, and when people avoid them, they will realise what they did.”
Umeh representing Anambra Central District in the 10th National Assembly called on the Nigerian government to respond firmly to attacks against Nigerians abroad, insisting that the country should protect its citizens and defend its national interests.
South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s demand for compensation to repatriated
Meanwhile, the South African government has pushed back demands from Nigeria for financial compensation regarding assets left behind by its citizens amid incessant xenophobic attacks.
The refusal comes after the Nigerian government announced it was recording the properties and investments of its repatriated nationals to present a formal claim to Pretoria.
South African Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, clarified this in a press conference on Friday, July 3, where she stated that his country would not provide financial payouts, particularly for structures built in unregulated settlements.
“Informal squatter camps and settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country. So, you are already violating our law if you tell us about a shack in an informal settlement. So, there is no compensation that will come from the government,” she stated.
Ntshavheni added that foreign nationals with legally registered assets were free to sell them through standard economic channels.
She further challenged the Nigerian government’s demand, citing alleged illegal activities by Nigerians in her country.
“We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so they can show us where they’ve been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” she said.
The diplomatic friction escalated following an evacuation programme that saw hundreds of Nigerians return home in a month due to targeted protests against undocumented foreigners.
