The diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa deepened on Tuesday night as another batch of 16 South Africans were deported from the country.

This brings to 44 the number of South Africans deported from Nigeria in two days.

Immigration sources at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos said the 16 dep

ortees, who arrived in Nigeria aboard a South African Airways Airbus A330 at about 8:30pm, were denied entry due “improper travel documents”.

According to the sources, the exercise was supervised by the Deputy Controller of Immigration in charge of the MMIA, Mrs. Rebecca Ayuba.

It is believed that the repatriation of South Africans might continue if their government refuses to stop the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians travelling to Southern African country over a lack of genuine yellow fever vaccination cards.

Twenty-eight South Africans were sent back home on Monday night for improper travel documentation and lack of travel health certificate, according to immigration sources.

Sources say five conditions have been given to the South African government to meet in order to restore diplomatic and bilateral relations, the five conditions are:

•unconditional apology to Nigeria over the deportation of 125 Nigerian travellers last Friday from the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg;

•compensation for all the victims of the harsh treatment;

•disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the cruelty to Nigerians;

•a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy; and

•a commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not re-occur.

It is also believed that the difference the duo shared during the Libyan crises gave rise to the unfolding of events as President Jacob Zuma backed the ousted Muamar Ghadafi while Nigerian President Backed the National Transition Council (NTC).