<\/p>\n
Lamola travelled to Abuja as Special Envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver an official message to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tinubu appointed a high-level Nigerian government delegation to hold structured talks with the SA delegation. The discussions focused on restoring mutual goodwill, strengthening cooperation and addressing recent tensions between SA and Nigeria.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lamola raised three concerns during the engagement.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The first related to the reported installation of an unrecognised traditional ruler, described as an \u201cIgbo King\u201d, in the Eastern Cape in March 2026. Lamola said the incident caused public concern in SA at a time when the country is consolidating the constitutional role of traditional leadership.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The second concern involved alleged involvement of some foreign nationals, including Nigerian citizens, in organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and financial fraud.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Lamola, more than 500 Nigerian nationals had been processed through SA\u2019s criminal justice system for various offences as of July 7, 2026.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cRegrettably, these incidents have fuelled negative perceptions surrounding Nigerian nationals living in SA over the years. Addressing these challenges firmly, fairly, and within the bounds of the law is vital for the well-being of both our nations,\u201d Lamola said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The third concern related to incidents where law enforcement officers allegedly faced violent resistance during criminal investigations. Lamola specifically cited hijacked residential and commercial properties in areas such as Hillbrow in Johannesburg and Sunnyside in Pretoria.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
During the talks, both delegations reviewed the processing and arrest of more than 500 Nigerian nationals in SA. Lamola said these law enforcement actions were evidence-based and targeted individual criminal conduct rather than the broader Nigerian diaspora.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Nigerian delegation acknowledged the need to hold lawbreakers accountable, while stressing the importance of due process, fair trials and humane treatment for detainees.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Both sides agreed on the need to reduce inflammatory public rhetoric and prevent hostile actions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lamola said SA condemns xenophobia, racism, discrimination and intolerance. \u201cLaw enforcement remains the exclusive prerogative of the state,\u201d Lamola said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile SA will not tolerate criminal activity by any individual regardless of nationality, we equally will not permit vigilante action or xenophobic violence against foreign nationals residing in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lamola said arrests had taken place and investigations were continuing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The two governments agreed that migration, public safety and bilateral concerns should be handled through formal diplomatic channels, security cooperation and respect for constitutional rights.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SA and Nigeria also reaffirmed that Pan-African solidarity and bilateral diplomacy remain essential to peaceful coexistence, human rights protection and stronger historical ties.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40834,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[78,26],"class_list":["post-40833","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-featured","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"South Africa's (SA) International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has concluded a diplomatic mission to Nigeria aimed at easing tensions and strengthening bilateral relations.","published_date":"","news_description":"South Africa's (SA) International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has concluded a diplomatic mission to Nigeria aimed at easing tensions and strengthening bilateral relations.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/40833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/40833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40843,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/40833\/revisions\/40843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=40833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}