The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, of bringing his country into disrepute, telling him that he was the \u201cdisgrace and no-one else\u201d in the ongoing diplomatic dispute involving Nigeria\u2019s newly accredited High Commissioner, Femi Fani-Kayode.\n<\/p>\n
The mission, in a fresh response to Magwenya on X on Saturday, accused the presidential spokesman of displaying \u201cinsolence and ignorance\u201d and deliberately undermining efforts to promote peace and reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are the disgrace and no-one else. Outside of that, your insolence and ignorance knows no bounds. You are bringing your nation into disrepute and wilfully and purposely burning the bridge of peace and reconciliation. That is a matter of concern to us,\u201d the mission said.\n<\/p>\n
It faulted Magwenya for describing Fani-Kayode as a liar shortly after he presented his letters of credence to Ramaphosa, questioning whether the envoy was expected to remain silent after what it described as disrespectful treatment of him and Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday you are calling our newly-accredited Ambassador to your country a liar as well, barely a few hours after he presented his letters of credence. You also claim that he has disgraced our country simply because he complained to your President about a slight which your media team subjected him and our nation to,\u201d it added.\n<\/p>\n
The mission also recalled an earlier controversy in which Magwenya reportedly described Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Mahama as peddlers of fake news after they expressed concerns about Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa.<\/p>\n
It said Nigeria had ignored the earlier comments but warned that the spokesman\u2019s latest remarks were provocative and undiplomatic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy can\u2019t you leave this matter for the diplomats to resolve rather than attempting to add fuel to fire? We urge you to exercise caution and tread the path of peace and reconciliation which is what we earnestly desire,\u201d the mission said.\n<\/p>\n
The High Commission further claimed that other ambassadors witnessed what happened during the accreditation ceremony and expressed disgust at the incident.\n<\/p>\n
It also disclosed that it had a full video recording of the proceedings after the photographs were taken, which it said could be released if given approval. <\/p>\n
The mission, however, said it considered the matter closed, adding that Ramaphosa had helped resolve the situation by directing the relevant officials to address the complaint.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully, your President had the decency and presence of mind to put out the fire and direct you and your state broadcaster to do the right thing. He literally saved the day,\u201d it said.\n<\/p>\n
Magwenya, in a subsequent response, dismissed the mission\u2019s position, telling it to \u201cpeddle your lies as you wish\u201d and urging it to learn restraint and diplomacy.\n<\/p>\n