The Senate has rejected calls to nationalise South African-owned businesses in retaliation for the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. The discussion forms the second time in two months that the attention of the Nigerian Senate is again drawn to xenophobic attacks on citizens in South Africa.
Strongly condemning the violence against Nigerians in SA, the Senate urged the federal government to ensure that perpetrators of these deadly acts are made to face the full wrath of the law
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, added that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs should be allowed to complete its investigation before any further action is taken.
His words, “Before we proceed, let me make one point.
Nobody in this chamber is happy with what is happening in South Africa. The actions of violent groups attacking innocent people are completely unacceptable. Killing people in the name of protests cannot and should not be tolerated.
However, we also need to exercise caution. As Senator Oshiomhole rightly noted, we should not rely solely on statements circulating on social media without proper verification.
I watched the interview being referred to. The South African minister explained that people occupying illegal settlements without legal title would not receive compensation because they had no legal ownership. However, those with valid property titles would retain their ownership rights, regardless of whether they had been displaced.
That explanation, however, does not excuse the failure to prevent innocent people from being displaced in the first place. If the South African government is facing internal security challenges or coordinated attempts to destabilise the country, then it should come out openly and tell the international community. We are fellow Africans, and whilst stabilising is required, we can always cooperate.
For now, I appeal that we allow the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by your distinguished colleague and former governor, to complete its investigation before we take further decisions. Let the committee do its work and submit its findings.
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, you are hereby given two weeks to submit your report so that this Senate can take decisive action on the matter.
Very well. The Committee on Foreign Affairs is directed to table its report within two weeks on the attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. We need Africa. comprehensive information so that this Senate can determine the appropriate course of action.
I thank Senator Oshiomhole for his understanding, and I commend all distinguished senators who contributed to this debate.”
