15th March, 2012
The recent deportation of 125 Nigerians from South Africa over allegations bordering on the authenticity of the yellow fever vaccine cards they carry was not approved by President Jacob Zuma or his government, Mapisa Ngakula, South Africa’s Minister of Correctional Services told President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday.
Ngakula, who was speaking when he led an eight-man delegation from South Africa to Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the South African government is investigating the deportation and will punish anyone who is at fault over the issue.
The Minister said the South African Government had publicly apologised to indicate that the two nations already have excellent brotherly relations which should not be destroyed by actions of staff who do not have the authority to take certain decisions.
She said Nigeria and South Africa need to build on the strong relations already existing between them through the Bi-National Commission, in order to avoid a recurrence of the unfortunate events of the past few weeks.
In his response, President Jonathan said Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission should be resuscitated in order to further strengthen the warm relations between the two countries.
He said: “we should resuscitate the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in order to avoid the irritations we have had in the past few weeks and strengthen our relations,” adding that Nigeria and South Africa have come a long way together.
President Jonathan recalled that as Vice President, he headed Nigeria’s delegation to the Bi-National Commission, and said the body was crucial to fostering cordial relations and mutual understanding between the two countries.
He said Nigeria and South Africa have good economic relations, and emphasised that current warm political relations should be maintained as well.
President Jonathan also spoke about the need for South Africa and Nigeria to cooperate to provide leadership for Africa, which providence has thrust on the two nations.
He thanked the delegation for delivering the message from President Jacob Zuma.
The Special Envoy condemned the terrorist attacks in Nigeria, and pledged her country’s commitment to the fight against terrorism wherever it occurs.