The South African authorities may have nib in the board the planned march against foreign nationals by the locals.
The group, Operation Dudula, had threatened to attack foreign nationals resident in South Africa.
The group had, in recent video clips, informed of the plan to march against foreign nationals in South Africa, starting from 2 September, 2022.
The group had also in recent time denied Nigerians and some other foreign nationals from accessing health facilities, thereby raising the fear of another xenophobic attacks.
However, the president of Nigerian Citizens’ Association South Africa, NICASA, Mr. Benjamin Okoli, said that all is calm and that there has not been any attack on foreign nationals.
According to him, “All is calm in South Africa right now as everybody is going about with their normal daily activities. “
He however said Nigerians in South Africa are satisfied and reassured so far by steps taken by the country’s Missions to exert diplomatic pressure on South African authorities to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians living in the country.
Okoli also revealed that measures deployed by other pro-migrant groups have help curb the activities of the defiant locals.
He however urged Nigerians to continue to remain at alert and demonstrate a high sense of security consciousness during these difficult times.
“Our citizens are therefore advised to, in accordance with South African law, immediately report any threat of physical harm from any group to the Police for assistance.”
Okoli also expressed the hope that the South African authorities will take more pragmatic measures to curb completely the activities of the group.
He stated in a chat with The Nation, that “It is our fervent hope that the government will take more decisive and firm action to curb the illegal activities of Operation Dudula against defenseless foreigners. While we are confident in the capacity of the Government to deal with the situation, it is feared that, if unchecked, the activities of Operation Dudula may imperil inter-community harmony and trigger another spate of unwarranted violent attacks on foreigners in South Africa.”
The Nigeria Mission in South Africa had on Monday issued a statement warning Nigerians on the need to be security conscious.
The statement reads: “The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg is aware of action by some groups who are determined to prevent non South Africans from accessing basic health care services in the country, in breach of constitutional provision by the South African State.
“This development is a complete deviation from what the South African government stands for as a country governed by the rule of law. The South African government has condemned the reprehensible action.
“The Consulate calls on our South African broths and sister to have trust in constituted authority and allow relevant government officials to carry out their assigned duties, rather than resorting to protest and/or taking the laws into their hands.
“It is the belief of the Consulate that the South African government would intensify efforts to address the situation. In the interim, members of the Nigerian Community are advised to seek healthcare services outside those owned by the government, where it becomes absolutely necessary. Nigerian residents in the country are also advised to remain vigilant and avoid possible volatile areas”.
