Xenophobia: 397 Nigerians undergo screening to leave South Africa

A total of 397 Nigerians are currently being screened to return home from South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner campaigns.

The exercise, which began on Thursday and is expected to conclude on Sunday, is being supervised by 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, said over 600 Nigerians applied for repatriation, but only 397 cleared the screening for the first evacuation flight.

The exact date of the flight is yet to be confirmed as the Nigerian High Commission and the Federal Government finalise arrangements.

Onyekwelu explained that many of those returning had lost jobs, livelihoods, or valid immigration documents, and some had become undocumented migrants due to expired permits. The screening ensures that returnees do not have pending criminal cases.

Reports indicate that anti-foreigner protests have affected Nigerians in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. In Durban, authorities reportedly moved foreign nationals to screening centres for verification. Some Nigerians are still awaiting updates after threats in KwaZulu-Natal demanded that all foreigners leave by June 30.