Ramaphosa’s spokesperson accused of insolence by Nigerian mission
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch, Leadership and TheNEWS (Nigeria)
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accuses Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for Cyril Ramaphosa, of damaging his country’s image, according to Punch. It accuses him of calling the new ambassador, Femi Fani-Kayode, a liar a few hours after the latter presented his credentials in Pretoria.
The Nigerian mission says the South African presidency had the delegation from its country removed from the live broadcast of the ceremony, held at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria. Only the introductions of 15 accredited ambassadors were broadcast, while the address by the new ambassador, Femi Fani-Kayode, was not aired.
The mission recalls that Mr Magwenya had already called Presidents Bola Tinubu and John Mahama purveyors of false news, after they expressed concern about Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa. Nigeria remained silent at the time, but now considers those remarks unacceptable.
When Mr Fani-Kayode complained about this omission, Mr Magwenya replied on social media: “Stop discrediting yourself and your country.” The mission also rejects his argument that the presidency played no role in the broadcast. It says several ambassadors present witnessed the exclusion and that it retains all the footage of the ceremony, ready to be published if necessary.
President Ramaphosa intervened to ask the spokesperson and the public broadcaster to settle the dispute. The mission welcomed this intervention and considers the matter closed on its side, while warning that it will respond if Mr Magwenya revives it.
