The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday took a critical look at the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and asked the federal government to immediately take steps to nationalise all South African companies operating in the country.
He said: “We have discussed the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly blacks who are predominantly Nigerians. Having listened to all the explanations from the authority in South Africa, we have come to the conclusion that these people are not being accused of being illegal immigrants nor are they involved in any illegal activities.
“Inspite of the fact that the lives of many people have been wasted, not one South African is known to have been convicted ad sentence to prison for their role on the attack on foreigners, killing them and looting their businesses.
“The statement by the Deputy Minister of Police that foreigner’s domination of trading and other economic activates in a particular south African city amount to economic sabotage settles it all to the extent that the government has not called that Minister to order appeared to be an official endorsement of the South African authority.
“However, we believe that we need to make some bold statements to leave South Africa in no doubt that there is no time to lose if Nigerian must protect our own interest when South Africa is protecting their own interest by preserving economic opportunities only for South Africans. “For example, MTN is making huge profit including sometimes, breaching our national laws. South Africans cannot be envious of or small businesses over there while their business giants are smiling to their foreign banks where they keep profit that the repatriate from Nigeria.
“This will be more elegant rather than our people going to the streets and throwing stones against fellow Nigerians and a life being lost in the process.