Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, announced the decision in a statement dated September 10, saying the leadership was concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes, investments and other properties.
The suspension covers physical and virtual engagements, including parliamentary meetings, programmes, exchanges and other legislative activities hosted by South African institutions.
The decision comes just days before the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, scheduled to take place in Cape Town from September 13 to 19.
Nigeria cites growing concerns over citizens
The National Assembly said the move was in response to “continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.”
It stressed that the suspension was not intended to damage Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people ties with South Africa.
Rather, it is a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
Nigeria has evacuated 1,695 citizens from South Africa this year amid threats against foreign nationals, according to Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Ajayi Alexander.
The figure includes 1,490 Nigerians repatriated through government-sponsored arrangements and 205 who returned with support from private individuals.
South Africa seeks payment for repatriation costs
The decision comes amid a separate dispute over the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs says it has spent almost R300 million, or about $18.5 million, on repatriation operations involving tens of thousands of foreign nationals.
Nigeria and Ghana have disputed Pretoria’s attempt to recover the costs, adding another point of tension between South Africa and some of its African neighbours.
