‘Stop disgracing your country;’ ‘You’re the disgrace,’ Nigerian, South African officials exchange fresh attacks

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and the South African presidency have continued trading sharp remarks amid rising tensions over the presentation of credentials by Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa.

The dispute began after Fani-Kayode alleged that the South African presidency had “refused” to broadcast his speech during a livestream of ambassadors presenting their letters of credence.

The host country, however, dismissed the allegation, describing the incident as a “minor operational issue”.

In response to the Nigerian High Commission’s position, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the president did not interfere in operational matters involving public broadcasters and had not done so in Fani-Kayode’s case.

“Even when it’s institutionalised a lie remains a lie. There was no such intervention from the president or the presidency, and there will never be,” Magwenya said.

“Read our constitution and laws and familiarise yourself with the SABC editorial code. Stop disgracing yourself and your country.”

Nigerian High Commission fires back

In a lengthy statement, the Nigerian High Commission responded to Magwenya, declaring that he was “the disgrace and no-one else”.

“The only thing that is inappropriate is the shameful way that you and your team behaved,” the statement reads.

The commission accused Magwenya of deliberately undermining efforts to promote peace and reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa.

It alleged that the presidential spokesperson had described Fani-Kayode as a liar and accused him of disgracing Nigeria barely hours after he presented his letters of credence.

“Did you really expect him to simply stomach your ill manners and keep quiet? If so you have misunderstood the character and nature of the Nigerian. We cannot be easily cowed,” the statement added.

The commission also referred to an earlier disagreement, alleging that Magwenya had described the presidents of Nigeria and Ghana as purveyors of fake news after they expressed concerns about xenophobia in South Africa.

It urged Ramaphosa’s spokesperson to allow diplomatic channels to resolve the latest dispute.

The Nigerian mission further claimed that other newly accredited ambassadors witnessed the incident. It also said it had footage of the proceedings after the official photographs were taken.

The commission added that the footage could be released if permission was granted.

It commended Ramaphosa for intervening, saying he had directed officials and the state broadcaster to address the matter.

“Thankfully your president had the decency and presence of mind to put out the fire and direct you and your state broadcaster to do the right thing. He literally saved the day,” it said.

The commission said it considered the disagreement resolved but warned that it remained prepared to respond if further exchanges occurred.