SouthEast Market Association(S.E.A.M.A.T.A) condemns South Africa’s Incompetence on Xenophobia

SouthEast Market Association(S.E.A.M.A.T.A) condemns South Africa’s Incompetence on Xenophobia

–S.E.A.M.A.T.A Orders South African government to process compensation for victims

In the wake of the recent xenophobic attack against Nigerians in South Africa, the SouthEast Amalgamated Markets Traders Association (S.E.A.M.A.T.A) has called out the South African government on their ineptitude to protect Nigerians and other African nationals in their country.

According to the press statement made available to Anaedoonline.com, today, through the office of the President-General, Chief Gozie Akudolu(Iroko), the traders has ordered the South African government to begin the process of compensation for all the victims of the xenophobic attack. The group has also urged all Nigerians to resist any attempt of reprisal attacks on Nigerian soil.

Read the full statement below;

PRESS RELEASE
The SouthEast Amalgamated Markets Traders Association (S.E.A.M.A.T.A) in their emergency general meeting held in Owerri, deliberated on the xenophobic attack on Nigerian citizens in South Africa and with heavy pains in our hearts, condemned very strongly, the unprovoked attack.

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The Association could not imagine that the citizens of Nigeria, the country that sacrificed so much in human, material and financial resources to bring down the Apartheid Regime in South Africa, could be “rewarded” with the exact treatment the South Africans received from Ian Smith’s regime is unbelievable.
That the South African security agents should watch their citizens kill and maim Nigerians, loot and burn down their shops and other businesses is unimaginable. That the South African security agents themselves indulge also in the actual killing of the innocent Nigerians, the country that sacrificed so much in liberating and giving them the freedom they are enjoying today is not only embarrassing but a public exhibition of Wickedness. It is most painful that South African citizens should display their short memory and knowledge of history so soon.

The Association calls for immediate and proper documentation of all Nigerian citizens killed in South Africa and all the shops and businesses and the value of goods either looted, vandalized or set ablaze till date. The government of South Africa shall as a matter of urgency do this enumeration and documentation for South Africa’s proper and immediate compensation of these innocent Nigerians and their families.

The government of South Africa should as a matter of State policy, provide with immediate effect, adequate security for Nigeria’s citizens in South Africa the way Nigerian government is protecting South African citizens and businesses here in Nigeria. This Association wishes to remind the government and people of South Africa, that no one stock of people or nation has the monopoly of violence, more so when they have giant business concerns even in our country and we, therefore, warn very seriously that enough is enough.

The Association finally appealed to traders and all Nigerians to please strongly resist this provoked urge of reprisal attack on South Africans and their businesses in Nigeria,for in doing this, we shall not only be showing our maturity to the world but will be protecting the jobs of our teeming brothers and sisters that are employed by these concerns.

The Association noted with regret that over 80% of the victims of this unfortunate and avoidable attacks are members of this association that relocated their businesses to South Africa, (the country which Nigerian government committed so much in their freedom fight)for greener pastures.
The Association also appeal to the Federal government to as a matter of urgency, take on the government of South Africa to stop giving only lip service to the security of lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa.

Finally, the association is strongly appealing to traders in the SouthEast not to get involved in any reprisal attacks on South African business establishments anywhere in Nigeria.
Chief Gozie Akudolu
(Iroko)
President General

Alex Okwudili
Secretary General.