The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, following concerns over continued xenophobic attacks, violence and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes and investments.

The directive covers physical and virtual conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, sponsored or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly said no member, committee, official or staff would participate in such engagements during the suspension without the express approval of its leadership.

It said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers stressed that the suspension does not amount to a rejection of Nigeria’s diplomatic and people-to-people relationship with South Africa, but said parliamentary cooperation must be based on mutual respect and the protection of lives and property.

The suspension will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.