ANC says Ramaphosa's remarks on visa policy for Nigerian visitors misunderstood
Last week, Ramaphosa announced Nigerian travellers will only be required to submit a copy of their passports when applying for a visa and hand in the original document at a later stage.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula addressing the media on 8 Aug 2024. Image: MyANC on Facebook
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has come to President Cyril Ramaphosa's defence, saying his remarks on South Africa's new visa policy with Nigeria were deliberately misunderstood.
Last week, Ramaphosa announced Nigerian travellers will only be required to submit a copy of their passports when applying for a visa and hand in the original document at a later stage.
READ: Ramaphosa & Tinubu reaffirm SA-Nigeria ties but say more needs to be done
The ANC said Ramaphosa’s remarks were misinterpreted, as some believed he meant Nigerians could travel to South Africa without a passport.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the agreement merely aims to enhance trade relations with Nigeria.
"We make it abundantly clear, South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness. The relation of visa laws as it relates to Nigerians does not equal entry in the country without passports. And we are aware there has been a distortion of what the president said," Mbalula said.
The ANC says the president’s remarks on SA’s new visa policy with Nigeria were deliberately misunderstood.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 6, 2024
Ramaphosa announced Nigerian travelers will now only submit passport copies when applying for a visa, handing in the original once the application is granted. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/BxWiVSYxpd