South African Govt. Dismisses Claims Ayra Starr Was Denied Visa To Perform, Demands Proof
The South African government has rejected claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied visas into the country.
The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, said immigration authorities had no record of any visa application or rejection involving the singer or her team.
He, however, urged those alleging that visas were denied to submit the names of the affected persons and their visa application reference numbers to enable the mission to verify the claims.
The reaction came after some Nigerians, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged the Federal Government to review visa applications submitted by S’African artistes and their entourages in line with the principle of reciprocity.
“If it is confirmed that our Nigerian artiste Ayra Starr and her team were previously denied entry visas to South Africa, leading to the cancellation of their engagements, then Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures until Nigerian citizens and artistes are accorded fair and respectful treatment,” Akpoti-Uduaghan had said in a statement on Thursday.
Findings by our correspondents showed that in February 2024, Starr and her team were allegedly denied visas to South Africa ahead of the singer’s scheduled performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The organisers of the concerts, Steyn Entertainment, had in a statement attributed the cancellation of the shows to visa denial.
A statement by the company’s Managing Director, Dale De Ruig, read, “Regrettably, as has happened numerous times with other artistes from West Africa, through no fault of their own, visas were denied despite exploring every avenue possible to secure visas for Ayra Starr and her team.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause those who have already purchased tickets. All previously purchased tickets will be fully refunded within seven business days via Quicket.”
But the South African envoy said there was no proof that any visa application was made.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Moroe said, “The immigration said they were not aware of the application or the rejection. But what will assist us is if the people who are making these allegations will send us the names and reference numbers of Ayra Starr and her team; if they were rejected and why they were rejected, so that we can double-check.”
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