Deportation Row: SA Presidential delegation in Abuja to beg Jonathan

A presidential delegation from South Africa led by the South African Minister for Correctional Services, Mrs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, was at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday to formally apologize to President Goodluck  Jonathan over the row ignited by the deportation of Nigerian travelers at the

Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesbourg early this month.

The delegation besides tendering an apology, also engaged the Nigerian presidency in detailed talks to avert similar feud in the future.

Although details of the closed door meeting between the country representatives were hazy, Mrs. apisa-Nqakula fielded questions from newsmen.

Here are excerpts of the question and answer session as reported by an Online news portal,rontiersnews.com:

Why are you at the State House?

"I must say that we had a very good discussion with both the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the federal Republic of Nigeria. Obviously as you expect and as you know we were discussing the events that occurred two weeks ago in South Africa and you are aware by now that South Africa

issued a public apology to the people of Nigeria, to the Government of Nigeria and of course in particular, to the President of Nigeria.

"Also, South Africa reiterates once more its commitment to the bi-national that was initiated more than 10 years ago between South Africa and Nigeria.  We have committed ourselves that within the next month, we will be having a bi-national in South Africa led by the Deputy President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Deputy President of the South Africa.

"On behalf of the people of South Africa, on behalf of our Government and on behalf of our President, it is important to reassure the people of Nigeria that there was no decision of Cabinet to deport big numbers of people from Nigeria. There was no deliberate and Xenophobia is not the policy of

government in South Africa and there was no deliberate attack on the integrity on the people of Nigeria. In fact, we have about two million Nigerians living in South Africa. We co-exist and some of them work very closely with us.

How can we avoid a repeat of the ugly incident?

"It has always been the tradition and practise in South Africa that all decisions related to method of deportation or repatriation are decisions which are taken at the highest level. It has never happened in South Africa that junior officials somewhere at the airport will decide they are going to send these ones back. As I said, it has never happened before. It was not even a decision of the Premier (Governor quivalent in Nigeria) of the Province.

Will the officers be punished?

"We are currently conducting an investigation and we have announced in South Africa that there will be consequences for whoever took that decision.

But the nature of the sanction will depend on the people who take that decision.

Will there be compensation for Nigerians deported?

"The issue of compensation is out of the question. We all understand why South Africa will have to compensate. We believe that it is enough that we have come out and apologised, it is enough that we have demonstrated our goodwill to the government of Nigeria, it is enough that the President has sent a special Envoy to reiterate his commitment to the bi-national with Nigeria and to improve working relationship with Nigeria

March 17, 2012