In the midst of escalating xenophobic tensions in South Africa, the lives of nearly 400 Nigerians have been upended as they prepare to leave the country in a hurried repatriation effort.
These 397 individuals are currently undergoing screenings to facilitate their return home, facing the harsh reality of anti-foreigner sentiments that are spreading rapidly across major cities.
The screening process, which commenced on Thursday and is set to conclude by Sunday, is being conducted under the watchful eyes of the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Reverend Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, shared that over 600 Nigerians had applied for evacuation, with only 397 passing the initial screening for the first flight.
As the Nigerian High Commission and the Federal Government work tirelessly to finalize arrangements, the exact departure date remains unknown.
Many of those preparing to return home have faced the harsh realities of losing their jobs, sources of income, or valid immigration documents, while others find themselves in undocumented status due to expired permits.
The screening process aims to ensure that none of the returnees are entangled in pending criminal cases.
Amid reports of anti-foreigner protests spreading across various regions in South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, Nigerians have found themselves among the primary targets.
In Durban, foreign nationals were relocated to screening centers for verification, while in KwaZulu-Natal, threats demanding the departure of all foreigners by June 30 have left many Nigerians feeling fearful and uncertain about their future.
For the 397 Nigerians now preparing to board evacuation flights, the journey back home represents a bittersweet mix of emotions—a forced departure from the lives they had built in South Africa, and a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of xenophobia that continue to plague the country.