South African Government Challenges Claims Ayra Starr Was Denied Visa

The South African government has denied reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied visas to enter the country.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, South Africa’s Consul General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, said immigration authorities had no record of any visa application or rejection involving the Afrobeats star or her entourage.

Moroe called on those making the allegations to provide the names of the affected individuals and their visa application reference numbers to enable authorities verify the claims.

“The immigration said they were not aware of the application or the rejection. What will assist us is if the people who are making these allegations send us the names and reference numbers of Ayra Starr and her team. If they were rejected, we will be able to establish why they were rejected and double check the claims,” he said.

The controversy comes amid renewed calls in Nigeria for the Federal Government to adopt a reciprocal approach toward South African entertainers seeking to perform in the country.

Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan recently urged the Federal Government to review visa applications submitted by South African artistes and their teams if it is confirmed that Ayra Starr and her entourage were denied entry into South Africa.

The visa controversy stems from reports that Ayra Starr and members of her team were allegedly denied visas in February 2024 ahead of scheduled performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town.