The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has donated $265,854 to the federal government to support the repatriation of 500 Nigerians from South Africa amid continuing xenophobic violence in the country.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Olufemi Adeniyi. The donation amounts to about N352 million at the current exchange rate of N1,324 to the US dollar.
According to the ministry, the funds, contributed through RCCG under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will cover the cost of 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians affected by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
The ministry described the donation as proof of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and commitment to supporting Nigerians in distress, adding that it demonstrates how faith-based organisations, public institutions and other stakeholders can collaborate to address social challenges and advance the common good.
“This gesture further demonstrates the impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions can have in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good,” the statement read. “We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to working with the church’s leadership in South Africa, as the generous donation is deployed to the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians.”
Around 1,640 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa since the latest wave of xenophobic violence began in April, with 67 repatriated last week alone. At least five Nigerians have been killed since the violence began. Mr Andrew’s body was found at the Pretoria Central Mortuary days after his arrest on April 19 in the Booysens area of Pretoria, where he had been detained following an alleged altercation with Tshwane Metro Police officers. Mr Emmanuel died a day later from injuries sustained in an attack by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Following these deaths, the Nigerian government summoned the South African High Commissioner and demanded a thorough investigation.
Two more Nigerians, Mr Iroegbu and Mr Joe, were killed on June 28 in separate incidents. Mr Joe was killed by suspected criminals in Witbank, Mpumalanga province, while Mr Iroegbu was tortured to death by Tshwane Metro Police officers in Sunnyside, Pretoria. Investigations into both cases remain pending, with no arrests made so far. Several African countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, have similarly repatriated their citizens from South Africa.
Last month, President Bola Tinubu declined to meet a special South African delegation sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, directing the visiting team instead to meet with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye.
