397 Nigerians undergo screening to leave South Africa amid xenophobic tensions

No fewer than 397 Nigerians are currently undergoing screening processes to leave South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner campaigns in parts of the country.

This was disclosed by the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Reverend Frank Onyekwelu, on Friday.

The screening exercise, which began on Thursday and is expected to conclude on Sunday, is reportedly being supervised by the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Over 600 Nigerians applied for repatriation

According to Reverend Onyekwelu, more than 600 Nigerians initially applied to return home, but only 397 persons were cleared for the first evacuation phase after screening.

“The screening for the repatriation started on Thursday and will end on Sunday, after which about 397 people will be on the first flight back home,” he stated.

He explained that the date for the first evacuation flight has not yet been fixed, as the Nigerian Consulate and High Commission are still working with the Federal Government to finalise logistics and arrangements.

Many Returnees allegedly lost jobs, documents

Mr Onyekwelu noted that many Nigerians opting to return home had reportedly lost their jobs, businesses, or valid immigration documentation amid growing hostility towards foreign nationals.

“Some of them have become undocumented migrants because their permits were not renewed. The screening is to ensure that those returning do not have criminal cases pending,” he added.

The verification process is also expected to ensure compliance with immigration and security procedures before departure.

Rising Xenophobic protests in South Africa

Reports indicate that anti-foreigner protests have intensified across several South African cities since the beginning of the year.

Cities reportedly affected include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with Nigerians said to be among the affected foreign nationals.

Authorities in the eThekwini Municipality had earlier moved foreign nationals in Durban to screening centres for documentation checks and verification exercises.

There are also growing concerns among Nigerians residing in KwaZulu-Natal following threats by some groups demanding that foreigners leave the area before June 30.

The development has renewed concerns over xenophobia, immigration tensions and the safety of African migrants living in South Africa.