Nigeria has issued a new safety warning to its citizens in South Africa, urging business owners to close their shops and avoid areas where xenophobic protests are intensifying.
According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal have become violent, resulting in reports of looting and attacks.
Officials anticipate further protests in Gauteng Province from April 27 to 29, coinciding with Freedom Day.
NiDCOM urged Nigerians to obey local laws, stay informed through news updates, and avoid protest zones.
Meanwhile, Ghana summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner, Thando Dalamba, to address concerns over reported “acts of intimidation and harassment” targeting Ghanaians and other African migrants.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, cited online videos depicting harassment, labeled the incidents as “xenophobic,” and demanded accountability for those involved.
South African officials acknowledged the unrest. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia emphasized that only the government is authorized to enforce immigration laws and assured that police would respond decisively to any xenophobic violence, looting, or intimidation.
The protests, fueled by anti-immigrant groups such as Operation Dudula and March on March, reflect continuing concerns about unemployment and crime, with migrants frequently scapegoated. Ghana and Nigeria’s diplomatic interventions highlight growing regional tensions as African governments react to the treatment of their citizens in South Africa.
