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The Nigerian government has rescheduled the airlifting of the first batch of citizens wanting to leave South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks against foreigners; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this on Monday.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry spokesman, disclosed in a statement that the evacuation originally scheduled for Monday has been moved to Wednesday due to unforeseen logistical considerations.
The proposed airlifting of the first batch of returnees from South Africa, originally scheduled for Monday (today), has been rescheduled to Wednesday due to unforeseen logistical considerations, Ebienfa said.
He explained that President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigeria’s private airline, Air Peace.
The first flight is expected to carry about 270 passengers and will depart Johannesburg on the evening of the new date, after all necessary permits and clearances for the aircraft have been secured, Ebienfa said.
The government has extended the screening period for South African citizens who are willing to be evacuated until Wednesday, the spokesperson also confirmed.
“I received confirmation from our Mission in Pretoria that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals, who have indicated interest to be evacuated back home, has been extended to Wednesday,” he said.
“So far, more than 500 persons have been screened and cleared,” Ebienfa added.
The evacuation follows a recent series of xenophobic attacks against Black foreigners in South Africa. Ghana, Malawi and Mozambique have been repatriating some of their citizens caught up in the protests, which have sometimes turned violent. Mozambique has said five of its citizens were killed.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had vowed on Sunday to crack down on groups behind xenophobic violence as anti-immigrant protests tarnish the country’s reputation, according to a televised address.
“We will act against forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal and criminal agendas,” Ramaphosa said, without specifying the actions.
“We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilise our country through inciting lawlessness and violence,” he added.
Ramaphosa cautioned citizens against stopping people on the streets to demand their identities, stating that enforcement of immigration laws is a responsibility solely for the state.
He noted that migrants were being blamed for problems arising from poverty and high unemployment and announced measures including stricter enforcement of regulations, an overhaul of immigration laws, and setting up dedicated courts to deal speedily with immigration cases.
