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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

80 arrested over xenophobic attacks – S’Africa envoy

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Africa has arrested approximately 80 individuals involved in xenophobic attacks and criminality targeting migrants.
  • The arrests occurred across five to six provinces as authorities work to restore order and prosecute offenders.
  • The South African government reiterated its commitment to protecting all migrants, regardless of documentation status, and condemned vigilantism.

South Africa has apprehended around 80 members of vigilante groups suspected of involvement in xenophobic attacks and other criminal activities targeting migrants. Consul-General of South Africa to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, disclosed that the arrests were made across five to six provinces as the government intensifies efforts to restore order.

In South Africa, we have witnessed acts of criminality by vigilante groups calling for illegal migrants to return home and taking the law into their own hands.

— Prof Bobby MoroeDescribing the actions of vigilante groups targeting migrants.

Moroe emphasized that the South African government unequivocally condemns attacks on migrants, stating that the country's constitution safeguards both documented and undocumented individuals. He clarified that only authorized law enforcement and immigration officials have the legal authority to handle migration-related issues. The Consul-General dismissed reports suggesting the South African government orchestrates attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals as "fake news."

But let me be clear on behalf of my government that the South African Constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants.

— Prof Bobby MoroeReaffirming the constitutional protection for all migrants.

He stressed that the actions of these vigilante groups do not represent the sentiments of the South African populace or its government. "These acts of criminality by groups taking the law into their own hands do not represent the sentiments of South Africans," Moroe stated. He affirmed that the government condemns all criminal acts and human rights violations against any person, whether South African or foreign, as the constitution protects everyone.

I can tell you for free, this is fake news.

— Prof Bobby MoroeDismissing claims that the South African government is orchestrating attacks against foreign nationals.

Law enforcement agencies are actively working to stabilize the situation, with approximately 80 suspected vigilante members already in custody. The Consul-General also advocated for strengthened bilateral ties between Nigeria and South Africa, highlighting their 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations built on mutual solidarity and shared history.

These acts of criminality by groups taking the law into their own hands do not represent the sentiments of South Africans.

— Prof Bobby MoroeClarifying that vigilante actions do not reflect national sentiment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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