Fresh waves of xenophobic attacks have again left Nigerians in South Africa counting losses, with businesses looted and residents fleeing for safety in parts of Johannesburg and Durban this week.
The latest outbreak, which began on Monday, has seen mobs target foreign-owned shops, vandalise property and unleash violence on African immigrants, reigniting fears among the Nigerian community. Several Nigerians are said to have lost goods worth millions of naira, while others have gone into hiding.
This is not the first time. The country witnessed similar bloody attacks in 2015 and 2019, when dozens of Nigerians were attacked, their shops burnt, and many forced to return home under emergency evacuation arrangements by the federal government.
Each time, assurances were given by South African authorities that such incidents would not reoccur, yet the cycle of violence has returned.
Speaking on the crisis, Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has consistently and strongly condemned the xenophobic attacks, describing them as “self-hatred” and a “betrayal of African unity.”
Malema, who has become one of the loudest voices against the violence, urged South Africans to end the bloodshed and embrace Pan-African solidarity. He argued that these attacks are fuelled by colonial mindsets, stressing that attacking fellow Africans is a form of self-hatred taught by oppressors.
“We are ashamed to see black people attacking other Africans,” Malema said, noting that the violence is unjustly directed at other African nationals, rather than white, Chinese, or Indian individuals.
The EFF leader promotes a “One Africa” agenda, demanding the dismantling of colonial borders and urging African solidarity. He maintained that attacking immigrants, such as low-level petty traders, would not solve South Africa’s economic problems.
Meanwhile, Nigerian community leaders in South Africa have called on the Nigerian government to intervene urgently while appealing to the South African government to protect lives and property.
The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) said it had documented fresh cases of harassment and looting, adding that many families are now traumatised.
“We can not continue to live in fear every few years. Our people are not criminals; they are contributing to the economy,” a NUSA official said.
Concerned Nigerians back home and in diaspora have questioned how many more times history will repeat itself before lasting solutions are found.
Meanwhile the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to heed warnings from the Consulate General in Johannesburg amid escalating anti-foreigner demonstrations turning violent.
According to a statement signed by Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM Abuja, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the advisory follows an official circular (Ref No: CGJHB/AD/209/VOL I) dated April 22, 2026, reporting unrest in East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal, including looting, property damage, and injuries.
Intelligence indicates further protests in Gauteng Province from April 27-29, 2026, as demonstrators pressure the South African government over foreign nationals.
NiDCOM advised Nigerians to avoid confrontations with protesters, refrain from engaging demonstration groups, monitor local media for updates, and remain law-abiding at all times. Business owners were urged to protect their property by closing on Freedom Day, April 27, and considering closure on April 28-29, as foreign-owned businesses are frequent targets.
While fully endorsing Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche’s position, NiDCOM noted the Johannesburg consulate remains operational and is coordinating with South African police for Nigerian safety.
Saturday Sun gathered that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Onoh, was engaging South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister on the matter.
Credit: The Sun