PRETORIA, South Africa — Hundreds of Nigerians have sought refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa amid growing fears of anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic attacks, with many stranded and in desperate need of assistance, diplomatic sources have confirmed.
The development comes as tensions escalate across the country ahead of an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by citizen-led anti-immigration groups, which have called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. The main xenophobic movement leading the charge, called March and March, has given all illegal immigrants until June 30 to leave, though they have not specified what will happen when the deadline passes.
Videos circulating on social media show crowds of Nigerian nationals gathered outside the High Commission in Pretoria, seeking safety and assistance as fears of violence mount. Many of those seeking refuge are said to have been living and working in South Africa for years, contributing to the local economy but now facing uncertainty and intimidation.
The Nigerian High Commission has reportedly been overwhelmed by the influx of citizens seeking shelter, with many sleeping on the premises due to a lack of accommodation. The mission has called on the South African government to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals and to take decisive action against those inciting violence.
The situation has drawn sharp reactions from Nigerian officials, who have expressed concern over the safety of their citizens abroad. The Federal Government had previously commenced the evacuation of Nigerians who indicated a willingness to return home, with the first batch of 258 returnees arriving in Lagos on June 11. Approximately 1,000 Nigerians have registered for evacuation, with arrangements being finalized to bring back the remaining citizens before the June 30 deadline.
The ongoing tensions follow weeks of sometimes violent xenophobic unrest that has left several people dead, according to official sources. Mozambican authorities have reported five deaths among their nationals, while a Malawian national was killed during a march in Pietermaritzburg.
The threat of violence has forced several countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to offer voluntary repatriations for their nationals. South Africa’s Border Management Authority reported that it processed 8,200 foreign nationals for repatriation between June 12 and 24 at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe, including 6,709 Malawians and 1,521 Zimbabweans.
Past flare-ups of violence targeting undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa have been deadly, with 62 people killed in riots in 2008 and further deadly riots in 2019. The latest tensions come ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4.
As the June 30 deadline approaches, Nigerian officials have urged their citizens to remain calm and take necessary precautions while diplomatic efforts continue to ensure their safety and facilitate voluntary returns. For now, the High Commission remains a refuge for those seeking protection, while the broader crisis underscores the fragility of the situation facing foreign nationals in the country.
