Xenophobia in South Africa: Tinubu Refuses to Meet Ramaphosa’s Envoy
• Nigeria Demands Ratification of Early Warning Pact
• Pretoria Launches Probe into Death of Nigerian Citizen
By Nkiruka Nnorom
President Bola Tinubu has turned down a request to meet with a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Vanguard has learned. The diplomatic rebuff comes amid escalating outrage over persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Diplomatic Snub Over Rising Attacks
Reliable sources told Vanguard that the South African delegation—led by Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola—arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what was described to Nigerian officials as a “very important message” for President Tinubu.
However, the Presidency declined to grant the envoy an audience. Diplomatic insiders disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised against the meeting, citing the continued attacks on Nigerian nationals, their businesses, and properties in South Africa.
The Minister stressed that Pretoria must first demonstrate concrete commitments and present a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) —an agreement both countries signed in Abuja on October 22 last year—before any further diplomatic engagement could take place.
Early Warning Mechanism Still Unratified
The Early Warning Mechanism was designed to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa in monitoring threats of violence, protecting citizens, and addressing consular matters. It also provides for rapid communication channels to de-escalate security risks and prevent reprisal attacks.
Nigerian officials noted that the framework would have facilitated compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous xenophobic attacks. However, South African authorities have so far declined to compensate victims, arguing that legally owned properties are registered and can be sold through the property market, while structures in informal settlements are deemed illegal and not recognised as legitimate property.
According to diplomatic sources, South Africa has failed to ratify the agreement, citing what Nigerian officials described as “inadequate reasons.”
Killing of Nigerian National Sparks Outrage
The diplomatic snub occurred less than 24 hours after the reported killing of a Nigerian, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly picked up from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by South African police personnel.
A video footage obtained by Vanguard from the Nigerian community in South Africa contradicts the official account given by Pretoria. The footage shows the moment Ibe—who had already sustained injury from a rubber bullet—was shot by a South African police officer.
Pretoria’s Version of Events
The South African authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ibe’s death. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which oversees police conduct, claimed that a preliminary post-mortem result showed Ibe, 42, sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest.
Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut stated that officers were conducting a search at a residence when they discovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs. He claimed Ibe became unwell and died while officers attempted to arrest him.
However, the video footage obtained by Vanguard has sparked outrage within the Nigerian community, with protesters clustering around the scene in Bellville, Cape Town.
A man speaking in Igbo was heard in the video lamenting:
“The police has just killed someone now; the police has just killed someone now. People need to come to Parksig Villa, Bellville, Cape Town. They can’t be treating us like animals and be using guns on us. We need to end it once and for all.”
Nigeria Maintains Firm Stance
Speaking to the BBC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation.” South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also confirmed during a public briefing that the matter is under investigation.
At press time, Presidency sources said President Tinubu had yet to agree to meet the South African envoy. The outcome of a telephone conversation reportedly initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend also remained unclear.
Renewed Calls for Continental Action
Nigeria has maintained a firm stance against xenophobic attacks. At the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima—who represented President Tinubu—condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union.
Shettima called for a united continental response to protect the rights and dignity of Africans living across the continent. He also disclosed that the federal government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence and reaffirmed Abuja’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to address the crisis.