South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has dismissed claims that Nigerians are being attacked in South Africa because of their romantic relationships with South African women.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Moroe said South Africa’s constitutional framework protects individuals’ freedom to choose their partners, regardless of nationality.
“It cannot be. We live in a constitutional democracy where everybody is allowed to exercise their freedoms, and nobody, no matter how they feel, is permitted to interfere with people’s preferences. Love knows no borders,” he said.
Moroe acknowledged that the narrative exists but argued that it does not accurately explain tensions involving Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
He noted that South African men also have relationships with women from other countries, while South African women are equally free to choose partners based on personal preferences rather than nationality.
The diplomat said the relationship between South Africans and Nigerians should not be reduced to competition over relationships.
He also pointed to his own friendships and interest in Nigerian culture as an example of the longstanding connections between citizens of both countries.
Moroe said the concerns expressed by some South Africans are primarily linked to the activities of undocumented foreign nationals rather than their nationality or relationships.
“What most South Africans are complaining about is that some, not all, foreign nationals, including Nigerians, Ghanaians and others, do not respect the laws of the country,” he said.
According to him, concerns have been raised about foreigners staying in South Africa illegally and the security risks associated with undocumented migration.
Moroe argued that South Africa has the right to enforce its immigration laws, saying countries generally do not permit people to reside within their borders without legal status.
He also rejected what he described as the automatic labelling of South African concerns as xenophobia, arguing that peaceful protests over immigration and related issues are constitutionally protected.
The consul-general said South Africa has also hosted large numbers of foreign nationals for decades and argued that other African countries should recognise the country’s role in hosting migrants and foreigners.
On allegations of extrajudicial killings involving Nigerians, Moroe cited a recent case in Cape Town involving a Nigerian national who was reportedly facing arrest over alleged involvement in the sale of prohibited substances.
According to Moroe, the Nigerian allegedly swallowed the substances when he learned that police were preparing to arrest him and later died after suffering severe complications.
He said the incident was subsequently attributed to an alleged extrajudicial killing, although he acknowledged that the South African authorities were still assessing the circumstances.
Moroe maintained that South Africa would accept responsibility where wrongdoing by its authorities was established, but argued that incidents should not automatically be attributed to xenophobia or state action without evidence.
The comments come amid recurring concerns over xenophobia, immigration and the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, issues that have periodically strained relations between the two countries.
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