TUC urges stringent measures against South Africa over killings

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has charged the Nigerian government to immediately adopt stringent diplomatic measures against South Africa over unending xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living and doing business in that country.

President of TUC, Quadri Olawale, who described the attacks as unfortunate, condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals living and doing business in South Africa and also urged other African countries to follow suit.He told The Guardian that the congress believed strongly that South African government was guilty of the dastardly act by association.

He argued that the nonchalant attitude displayed by the leadership and people of South Africa suggest that they have obviously forgotten the sacrifice Nigeria and other African countries made to achieve their freedom from apartheid. 

According to the union, the videos and pictures detailing graphic and gory treatments meted out to non-indigenes were disturbing enough for any country to take a serious stand against South Africa and all that they represent.His words: “For us, the Congress believes strongly that South African government is guilty of the dastardly act by association. The question is what do they hope to achieve? How can killings go on for years without government bringing culprits to book? This is very unfortunate. 
 
“Nigeria is a country that accommodates all and sundry. South African companies own several multi-billion dollar investments on our soils yet, we co-exist despite all the aggression against own people in their home country. To make issues worse these same companies are involved in anti-labour practices.  
 
“For the same people to turn around to de-humanise and kill Nigerians is unacceptable. Not anymore. This must stop! This sacrifice is becoming too grave to bear. Evacuation of Nigerians must commence immediately. “We must sound it again that 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.

“South Africans must know that no man or country has monopoly of violence. In as much as we wouldn’t want to repay evil with evil, we should not also be pushed to the wall.”