JOHANNESBURG, June 2 — The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has condemned recent acts of violence, intimidation and attacks against foreign nationals and other vulnerable groups in parts of South Africa, describing the incidents as unlawful and contrary to the country’s democratic values.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President General of NUSA, Adv. Smart I. Nwobi, called on South African authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation and ensure that those responsible for acts of violence are brought to justice.
Nwobi said violence could never be a solution to social, economic or political challenges, warning that attacks based on nationality, ethnicity or perceived origin threatened social cohesion and undermined the rule of law.
Barr Smart Nwobi, NUSA President.
According to him, recent reports surrounding the killing of a South African citizen, Nhlamulo, underscore the dangers of mob justice, vigilantism and campaigns that encourage hostility toward perceived outsiders.
“When violence is normalised and communities are encouraged to view one another with suspicion, innocent people become victims regardless of their nationality.
“This unfortunate incident demonstrates that violence, once unleashed, can easily consume the very communities that seek to promote or tolerate it,” he said.
The NUSA president warned against the rise of Afrophobic and xenophobic sentiments, stressing that South Africa’s history highlighted the dangers of division and intolerance.
He said the death of Nhlamulo should serve as a warning against inflammatory rhetoric, unlawful demonstrations and acts of vigilantism.
Nwobi urged the South African government to act decisively to prevent further escalation and protect innocent lives.
He also called on the Government of South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the swift arrest, investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in organising, inciting or participating in acts of violence and public disorder.
“Those who seek to inflame tensions and encourage lawlessness must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
The NUSA leader further urged political leaders, community leaders and organisers of public demonstrations to refrain from statements capable of inciting hatred, discrimination, violence or vigilantism.
He also appealed to civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, labour unions, community groups, human rights advocates and the South African Human Rights Commission to speak out against xenophobia, Afrophobia and all forms of discrimination.
According to him, such institutions have a critical role to play in promoting peace, dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding among residents of South Africa.
Nwobi called on South Africans to embrace the values of Ubuntu, human dignity and peaceful coexistence, noting that the country’s strength lay in its diversity and commitment to justice for all.
“At this critical moment, we encourage calm, restraint and constructive engagement among all stakeholders.
“The protection of lives and property must remain paramount, and every resident, regardless of nationality, deserves to live in safety, dignity and freedom from fear,” he said.
He reaffirmed NUSA’s commitment to promoting peace, lawful conduct, mutual respect and constructive dialogue among communities, adding that the organisation remained ready to collaborate with government institutions, civil society groups and community leaders to advance social cohesion.
Nwobi also called on the international community, diplomatic missions, regional bodies and human rights organisations to condemn attacks on innocent people and support efforts aimed at protecting human rights and promoting justice.
He stressed that silence in the face of injustice only emboldened perpetrators and increased the risk of further violence.
“Together, we must uphold the rule of law, defend human rights and work towards a peaceful, united and prosperous South Africa,” he said.
