TINUBU SNUBS RAMAPHOSA’S ENVOY OVER XENOPHOBIA FG Demands Ratification of Early Warning Pact as South Africa Probes Death of Nigerian in Police Custody
By Frontline Reporters
ABUJA—In a dramatic diplomatic development underscoring Nigeria’s growing frustration over persistent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The envoy, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, bearing what sources described as a “very important message” from President Ramaphosa. However, multiple diplomatic sources disclosed that the Presidency, acting on the advice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, deemed it inappropriate for President Tinubu to grant the delegation an audience amid renewed attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
The diplomatic rebuff came less than 24 hours after the reported death of a Nigerian national, Chika Ibe, in Cape Town under controversial circumstances. According to members of the Nigerian community in South Africa, Ibe was allegedly taken from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville and tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Sources told Frontline Reporters that Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised the Presidency that South Africa must first demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting Nigerians before any high-level diplomatic engagement could proceed. Central to Nigeria’s demands is the ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), signed by both countries in Abuja on October 22 last year.
The agreement was designed to facilitate cooperation in monitoring threats of violence, improving consular protection, and preventing xenophobic attacks against citizens of both nations. Nigerian officials maintain that Pretoria has yet to ratify the pact, citing what they described as inadequate reasons.
Foreign Ministry sources said Nigeria remains dissatisfied with South Africa’s handling of previous xenophobic incidents, particularly its refusal to compensate Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during past attacks. South African authorities have reportedly maintained that only legally registered properties qualify for compensation, while structures located in informal settlements are not recognized under the country’s property laws.
As of press time, Presidency sources indicated that President Tinubu had yet to reverse his decision, despite reports that President Ramaphosa initiated a telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart over the weekend.
Nigeria has consistently condemned xenophobic attacks across the African continent. Speaking recently 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—described the attacks as unacceptable and pledged that Nigeria would champion stronger continental measures against xenophobia at the African Union.
Shettima revealed that Nigeria had evacuated no fewer than 1,490 citizens affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad.
Meanwhile, South African authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Chika Ibe. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the agency responsible for investigating police conduct, disclosed that preliminary post-mortem findings revealed multiple bruises and abrasions on the 42-year-old’s back and chest.
In a statement, Western Cape Police claimed that Ibe became unwell while officers attempted to arrest him during an operation in Cape Town. Police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, stated that officers had discovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected narcotics during a search of the residence.
However, video footage obtained by Frontline Reporters reportedly paints a different picture. The footage allegedly shows Ibe, already injured after being struck by rubber bullets, being shot by a South African police officer while under guard.
The incident, which occurred on July 23, has sparked outrage among Nigerians in South Africa, many of whom gathered at the scene in protest. In one emotional moment captured on video, a distraught eyewitness speaking in Igbo lamented:
“The police have just killed someone. People need to come to Parksig Villa, Bellville, Cape Town. They can’t continue treating us like animals and using guns on us. We need to end this once and for all.”
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation,” while South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration confirmed that investigations remain ongoing.
With diplomatic relations now under renewed strain, observers say the Tinubu administration’s refusal to receive President Ramaphosa’s envoy signals a tougher stance by Abuja and reflects mounting impatience over Pretoria’s perceived failure to stem the tide of xenophobic violence against Nigerians and other African nationals.
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