A South African woman, Thabile Sibeko, has openly stated why she and some of her compatriots harbour resentment towards Nigerians amid renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in the country.
The latest wave of attacks has particularly affected Nigerians, prompting efforts to evacuate some citizens back home.
Sibeko, who identified herself as the president of Inizwe Nathi Party, spoke while some Nigerians were departing South Africa.
She expressed satisfaction over the development and said she was present to see them leave.
In a video shared by News Central recently, she said, “I’m here to bid farewell to Nigeria, to make sure that they are leaving our country and to say to them bye-bye, Nigeria. Thank you for all you contributed to our country.
“We did not appreciate the wrongs that you have done, and we hope that you have learned a lesson, and we want to encourage them when they go to other countries, they must take care of other countries.
“Today we’ve got zombies in our streets as our children because of them, and that has cut deep in our hearts and that has made us to resent them with all that we have and we hope that they take a journey safe next time they come they know South Africa loves its people and its country.
“Nigeria is horrible, these people are horrible. They’ve killed our children with drugs, and that is the reason why we are so strong on Nigeria because of their behaviour.”
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Tribune Online reports that the first batch of evacuated Nigerians arrived in Lagos on Thursday following the Federal Government’s intervention.
Welcoming the returnees, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said, “No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality.”
According to him, the evacuation of 258 Nigerians reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens abroad.
The returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa led by the Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi.
Speaking to the evacuees, Enikanolaiye assured them that the government would continue to oppose attacks and harassment against Nigerians wherever they reside.
The minister also praised the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for its role in coordinating the evacuation exercise.
He further advised Nigerians still residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, stay alert and promptly report security concerns to the Nigerian mission.
“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents,” he said.
“This exercise underscores the government’s proactive and decisive response to protect Nigerians’ lives and dignity in the face of violence and intolerance.”
“More flights carrying returnees are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days as the evacuation exercise continues.”
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