Many South Africans are kicking over the recent decision of President Cyril Ramaphosa to relax visa rules for Nigerian businessmen and tourists.
Some are even asking Ramaphosa to resign for “selling” the country to Nigeria on the strength of a part of the deal that allows that category of Nigerians to apply for a visa with only a copy of their passport during visa application processes and the original document submitted later.
They have taken to social media complaining about how Nigerians were flooding the country allegedly with the intention of destroying it.
They are demanding a national shutdown to drive home their point.
The National Secretary of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Fikile Mbalula yesterday slammed the critics, saying their attack was aimed at the President and smacked of intentional misinterpretation.
Mbalula told reporters in Johannesburg that there was a misunderstanding as the new deal did not imply that Nigerians could travel to South Africa without a passport.
He said the deal was to ease trade relations between the two countries.
“We dismiss the so-called national shutdown as nothing more than a failed attempt to sow chaos. The ANC remains resolute in defending South Africa’s sovereignty, uplifting its people, and ensuring that our country is a home for all who respect its laws and contribute positively to its growth”, he said.
He said Ramaphosa would continue to govern as the elected president, adding: “We are here to lead and we will not falter in this responsibility. We will not betray values and principles. Ramaphosa is a product of the democratic process and leading the ANC”.
Continuing, he said: “The attack on Ramaphosa is an attack on our nation including the ANC.
“We make it abundantly clear: South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness.
“The relaxation of visa requirements does not equate to entry without passports. There has been a clear distortion of the President’s words”.
He said South Africa remains committed to maintaining law and order while fostering improved trade relations with Nigeria.
President Ramaphosa announced the new policy on Tuesday at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town.
“Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian business people to travel to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people can be granted a five-year multiple entry visa”, he told his audience including President Bola Tinubu.
He pledged South Africa’s commitment to removing constraints on greater investment and addressing the challenges faced by companies in both countries.
Nigeria, he noted, is host to a number of South African companies and stressed that his country has always been open to Nigerian business.
He added: “But there is much more we need to do. We need to remove the remaining constraints to greater investment, just as we need to address some of the challenges that companies have experienced”.
