South Africa has apologised for the deportation last week of 125 Nigerians over suspicions that their yellow fever certificates were fake.
The action quickly turned into a diplomatic spat – with Nigeria refusing South Africans entry and the foreign minister branding Pretoria xenophobic.
South Africa has rejected that claim – and promised new procedures to avoid a repeat of the “regrettable incident”.
At one stage Nigerian carrier, Arik Air, suspended flights to South Africa.
“We wish to humbly apologise to them, and we have,” South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ibrahim said.
“We are apologising because we deported a number of people who should not have been deported,” Mr Ibrahim said – adding that he does not expect an apology from Nigeria for the tit-for-tat deportations of South African nationals.
He blamed airport authorities for what a joint statement with Nigeria described as a “regrettable incident which the South African government believes could have been handled better”.
The Nigerians were turned away on 2 March because the yellow fever certificates were not checked properly, according to the deputy minister.
South Africa is considering reopening a travel clinic at Johannesburg’s airport – so that travellers without a yellow fever certificate can be vaccinated on arrival rather than deported.
And from now on, mass deportations will need the permission of foreign ministry officials, the deputy minister said.
On Tuesday, Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s foreign minister, said the deportations was evidence of xenophobia.
“What you see playing out is what we call xenophobia by South Africans against all Africans – not just Nigerians,” AFP news agency reported him as saying.
In 2008, South Africa saw a wave of xenophobic violence which shocked the nation and shook up the world’s view of the “rainbow nation”.
Mr Ibrahim said on Thursday that South Africa is not a xenophobic country.
The two countries say the yellow fever row will not undermine bilateral relations – and they are moving to strengthening them.
Nigeria is one of the biggest markets for South Africa’s MTN mobile phone operator, while retailer Shoprite and Standard Bank also have profitable operations there.
[Source BBC News]
ambia is an economic province of South Africa. We eat, drink and watch a considerable amount of South African goods and services. The reason yellow fever certificates are rejected is because they do not show a BATCH number, so check that the person giving you the jab writes a batch number on your certificate.
The South Africans should have given ample warning to fellow Africans about this basic entry requirement and provided clinics at ports of entry to give jabs at a fee if fake certificates were found. The whole saga smacks of vindictiveness and xenophobia and was not handled properly. Glad someone could give them a taste of their own foolishness even if it wasn’t Zambia
If Zambia is not at risk why should YF certificates be required? SA is just so full of $hit!!
SA are full of themselves yet they are just load of crap. Even if you have a genuine Yellow Fever Card you risk being turned away by these morons. Ati relatively developed SA my foot. If it wasnt for the boers those niggers would have been wallowing in poverty.
Don’t you ever use that N word ever again. It is ignorant and irresponsible of you. Call them those *****ic foolish moronic South Africans instead.
What an asshole.White racist cracker!
I like Nigerians, they are bold and stand up for what they believe is right.
RSA should learn to respect fellow Africans, especially for what they did to liberate them from the Boers. RSA should be humble and not think they are better than pooer Africans. This yellow Fever thing can be handled in a better way, instead of embarrasing those found wanting. Good to hear they will open clinics at their entry points. That’s respect.
have you ever entered that UK of yours without a valid VISA? wait until you are turned at the airport then you will understand how a nigerian is. Nigerians are not people you should entertain anyhow. they have caused a lot of havoc world over because of too many fake documents that they carry. so carefull! it is not wrong to exercise national laws. if i have to carry a valid YP to a country i have to do just that rather than wanting to behave like iam above such a law it doesent help bra.
well they should apologize to zambia too
Nigeria haz the muscle to make SA dance. Some of theze thingz are what make Africa the “dark continent” it iz refered to. Like the “black on black violence” of the dreaded apartheid.
WHAT ABOUT OUR ZAMBIAN AUTHORITIES WHO WERE NDWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIII
If south Africa is demanding yellow fever certificates, Zambia immigration should demand yellow fever certificates from south Africans entering Zambia. If yellow fever was a problem in Zambia, it would not say because you are a south African, you can’t contract yellow fever. We have leaders in Zambia who don’t think. The same message should be given to South African airways which sprays in side the plane when leaving Zambia but does not do so when coming to Zambia. As for embassy staff, they only care for their own pockets. We Zambians also don’t care for one another. That is why we don’t have Zambian shops overseas. Even churches pastored by Zambians overseas don’t have fellow Zambians attending them. Yet Nigerians will support one another. Well done Nigeria.
Zambia is a country with embassy people who have no souls and minds. If south Africa is demanding yellow fever certificates, Zambia immigration should demand yellow fever certificates from south Africans entering Zambia. If yellow fever was a problem in Zambia, it would not say because you are a south African, you can’t contract yellow fever. We have leaders in Zambia who don’t think. The same message should be given to South African airways which sprays in side the plane when leaving Zambia but does not do so when coming to Zambia.
As for embassy staff, they only care for their own pockets. We Zambians also don’t care for one another. That is why we don’t have Zambian shops overseas. Even churches pastored by Zambians overseas don’t have fellow Zambians attending them. Yet Nigerians will support one another. Well done Nigeria.
well done Nigeria for standing up for your pipo. Its high time some one taught South Africans a lesson. They still have the mentality that they are better than other Africans so they can treat them any way they like. Its high time we let them know that they cant survive without other Africans.
The Zambian govt should have done the same atase..!
Kutumpa sana.
Whats also true is that those with CD4 counts below 350 cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever. Its dangerous to get the vaccine even if you appear healthy if your CD4 count is low. It therefore means that HIV individuals with low CD4 counts cannot therefore be allowed to ENTER South Africa on the basis of their status. Is this not discrimination, since its not their fault that they cannot be vaccinated? Ban Ki Moon who talked about RIGHTS should equally talk about this yellow fever issue otherwise BRAVO to Nigeria for their reciprocal action.
I think the whole of Africa should Tell SA to F off let’s sanction them again
This should be replicated by all African countries. BRAVO Nigeria! South Africa has a lot to lose if we ban them since they rip us off. Shoprite, MTN, Stanbic, FNB,……PIC N PAY, PEP, Hungry Lion ..and many more are all South African companies.
This is further confirmation of South Africa’s contemptuous attitude towards other Africans. Zambia should back Nigeria as Africa’s permanent representative on UN Security Council . Zambia should also vote against South Africa’s t Nkosazana Zuma who wishes to be Chair of the African Union commission
@Zambians. I am Nigerian and believe SA were wrong.It is true that my countrymen can sometimes be annoying but it is wrong to put 125 people on a plane (women and kids too) and say go back to your country.That is contempt and I think it is wrong to continue with this policy to other countries like Zambia. Economically Zambia may be small but are very well educated and decent people all round more than I can say for the few black S Africans I have met.
I am Zambian and I agree with you my Golden relative. Many a Nigerian has helped me out so many a time. May the Good Lord bless you and you country in Jesus’s name.
And bless U too ma Zambian brother..Peace to Africa….
Don’t you ever use that N word ever again. It is ignorant and irresponsible of you. Call them those *****ic foolish moronic South Africans instead.
Quote : ” On Tuesday, Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s foreign minister, said the deportations was evidence of xenophobia.
“What you see playing out is what we call xenophobia by South Africans against all Africans – not just Nigerians,” AFP news agency reported him as saying”
For the above words alone, I respect this Nigerian man. He spoke up for the whole Africa.
Xenophobia against black Africans is a problem in South Africa. But As Africans we must accept S.Africans back into the fold.Nigeria was determined to pull the plugs on south african economic interests in their land. It would have been serious bad news for African economic prosperity since we need more coperation and trade amongst African states. South Africa must understand that while Africa needs South Africa,South Africa needs africa more.
South Africans are FO.OL.S what the hell do you think South Africa is?? If it was not for support from Zambia by hosting their r freedom fighter?? Do you think they would have managed their freedom? Don’t be so st.upid as there is no yellow fever in Zambia. They will need us soon as the whites will kick their A.s.s.es soon. time bomb waiting for Madiba to go.
Zambians we should also ask for criminal record clearance for South Africans as they would bring theft & Criminal habits in to Zambia.
South Africans must be treated like the way Nigerians treat them..If they screw up ..f them up…By the way two years ago SA deposited Nigerians accusing them of being in the country illegally, Nigeria went to MTN Nigeria and depoted all South Africans national working in Nigeria. It is about Zambia started doing the same …I know Sata wont take this crap…