TUC to South African government: stop these killings now

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked the South African government to live up to its responsibilities and take immediate steps to stop the ongoing xenophobic killings targeted against foreigners in that country.

In a statement signed by the President and Secretary General of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal respectively described the killings as appalling, abysmal and beastly.

The union reminded South Africa of various investments of South Africans in Nigeria which they said have operated anti-labour policies in the country and frustrated every effort to unionise.

The statement reads: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria expresses serious concern over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa and calls the Mr. Jacob Zuma-led government to live up to its responsibilities by taking all necessary steps to stop the dastardly act of stealing, killing and taking over of people’s properties in Jo-burg, Durban and Pretoria. The act at this time and age is appalling, abysmal and beastly!

It is true that the government of South Africa as well as other countries of the world have condemned the attacks. Yet we demand that the government investigate and punish those involved in accordance with the provisions of the law of the land.

Again, if the comments we have read in the dailies and social media credited to the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini and son of Zuma, Edward asking non-South Africans to return to their countries is anything to go by, then it means they have forgotten in a hurry how Nigeria and the rest of the world rallied and mobilised support for the country during its apartheid experience.

Indeed, what is happening is nothing but a demonstration of shortness of memory and we feel more terrible about the whole thing because of the underground role of some prominent people in government.

Perhaps we should also use this opportunity to let the world know that South African-owned companies in Nigeria are anti-labour in their operations. Several efforts have been made to unionise MTN, DSTV and others, all to no avail, which cannot happen in their country.

Congress is aware of a number of Nigerian investors who went to invest in South Africa but ran back, abandoning acquired properties because they could not cope with their strict labour laws.

 

Nigeria is a country that accommodates all and sundry, including South Africa and South Africans, and today, we see this rare opportunity being grossly abused by the likes of South Africa.

They own several multi billion dollar investments on our soils, yet we co-exist despite all odds. The same people will come here to duhumanise Nigerians? Not anymore. This must stop! This sacrifice is becoming too grave to bear and over-stretched all to ensure peaceful co-existence.

The Congress calls on the Federal Government to immediately, like other affected countries, move in and commence evacuation of Nigerians.

Asking them to remain indoors is not safe as they could unleash mayhem on them even in their houses.

It is the government’s responsibility to protect its nationals both internal and external. We must not shirk our responsibility to our citizens wherever they are.

Finally, we wish to bring to the notice of South Africans that no man or country has monopoly of violence. Inasmuch as we wouldn’t want to repay evil with evil, we should not be pushed to the wall. A word is enough for the wise.”