Nigeria Union meeting in Kuruman

The Nigeria Union, South Africa says a peace deal has been reached with Kuruman community on the quit notice given to Nigerians to leave the area.

The Kuruman community in Northern Cape Province of South Africa, gave Nigerians June 16 deadline to leave.

The community alleged that Nigerians were responsible for some social vices such as drugs and prostitution and wants them to quit their area.

Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President of the union, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday, said the deal was brokered after a peace meeting.

Anyene said the meeting was held with the police, community leaders and officials of the Nigerian High Commission.

“The leadership of the union in company of Mr A. K Balogun, a senior official of the Nigeria High Commission, held a meeting with the Kuruman Police Cluster, Municipal officials, Home Affairs and Community Police Forum (CPF).

“Others who attended the meeting are representatives of the Nigerian Community in Kuruman and other community based organisations.

“At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that communities will work together with the police to root out crime no matter the nationality,” he said.

Anyene said that the meeting also resolved that Nigeria Union officers in Kuruman would work with civil organisations and CPF to check crime in the area.

“ It was also agreed that crime will no longer be tolerated in the community, while jungle justice should stop,” he said.

The president said that Kuruman ward officials of the union had already been invited to a meeting with CPF scheduled for July 13.

Anyene expressed joy that the quit notice given by the South African community to Nigerians to leave had been amicably resolved.

“We thank the Nigeria High Commission, South African Police and other stakeholders who intervened to ensure that peace was brokered and the matter resolved,” he said.

He said that the union would continue to liaise with relevant authorities and bodies to ensure the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.

“ We abhor crime and urge Nigerians not to get involved in anything that will tarnish the image of the country and bring them into disrepute,” Anyene said.

Brig. Kenneth Baloyi, Station Commander of Kuruman Station, urged Community Based Organisations, Community Policing Forum (CPF) to work together and fight crime in the area.

(NAN)