XENOPHOBIA: South African Ambassador to Nigeria dismisses reports of Ayra Starr’s visa denial
The South African government has dismissed claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied visas to enter the country.
In an interview with Punch. South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, said the country’s immigration authorities had no record of any visa application or rejection involving the singer and her entourage. He asked those making the allegation to provide the names of the affected persons and their visa application reference numbers for verification.
“The immigration said they were not aware of the application or the rejection. What will assist us is if the people who are making these allegations send us the names and reference numbers of Ayra Starr and her team. If they were rejected, we will be able to establish why they were rejected and double-check the claims.”he said
The controversy followed renewed calls for Nigeria to apply the principle of reciprocity in the treatment of South African artistes seeking to perform in the country.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central, on Thursday, July 29, urged the Federal Government to review visa applications submitted by South African entertainers and their teams. Akpoti-Uduaghan said Nigeria should take equivalent action if it was established that Ayra Starr and her team were denied visas.
Ayra Starr and members of her team were reportedly denied visas in February 2024 ahead of scheduled performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The singer has not publicly responded to the South African government’s demand for proof at the time of filing this report.
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