Nigeria Repatriates Citizens from South Africa
Nigeria has become the latest African country to repatriate some of its nationals from South Africa following an increase in anti-migrant sentiment within the country.
A flight carrying 268 Nigerians arrived in Lagos after departing Johannesburg on Thursday morning. These passengers are among approximately 1,000 individuals who have registered with the Nigerian consulate in South Africa for repatriation.
Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi have previously conducted evacuations ahead of a 30 June deadline set by some campaigners for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
Many migrants from other African countries moved to South Africa around the end of white-minority rule in 1994, seeking improved living conditions.
However, South Africa's unemployment rate, which exceeds 30%, has contributed to rising anti-migrant sentiments. Protest marches have taken place in major cities, and xenophobic attacks have targeted migrants.
Personal Accounts of Xenophobic Attacks
At Johannesburg's main international airport, Justin, a Nigerian passenger, shared his experience with the BBC. Having lived in South Africa since 1998, he explained his decision to leave.
"I'm leaving because of the conditions they've given us here. They say we must leave on or before 30th June. And because of the way they are killing people, killing our brothers, so I'm not safe," Justin said.
He recounted a recent attack in a taxi where he had to flee, leaving behind his belongings, including his phone.
"Recently they attacked me in a taxi. I ran away and left my things. I left my phone and everything.
"They call us names and say you must leave this country. When we tried to beg them, they started insulting us."
After arriving in Lagos, Chinwe Osuala, a hairdresser and mother of three, recounted her experience during an earlier wave of anti-migrant violence.
"I was personally attacked in my business premises. But after everything I called the police. Police helped me."
She expressed concern for her family's safety.
"You can't even walk around freely. You'll be scared, the children are scared that's the main reason I came back, because of the children."
Despite her departure, she acknowledged the positive relationships she formed in South Africa.
"Most of them, they were crying because I was leaving. When you talk about South Africans not all of them are xenophobic there are people who love you deeply, genuinely."
Support for Returnees and Official Responses
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, head of Nigeria's Diaspora Commission, informed the BBC that the country's emergency management agency would facilitate transportation for returnees to various destinations across Nigeria's 36 states.
Returnees have received financial assistance exceeding 100,000 naira (approximately $73; £55) and mobile phone credit.
There are no official statistics on the number of deaths resulting from recent xenophobic violence in South Africa. Police reported that two Mozambican men were killed in Western Cape province earlier this month, though no motive was provided.
Mozambican authorities have indicated a higher death toll, attributing these fatalities to xenophobic violence.
Some protesters have blamed migrants for South Africa's high unemployment and strain on public services such as schools and hospitals.
Nigeria's Consul General in South Africa, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, stated to the BBC that migrants constitute less than 10% of South Africa's population and cannot be held responsible for systemic issues in education, healthcare, policing, or unemployment.
"They are not and cannot be the problem. So, migrants are basically being scapegoated," Okey-Uche said.
A spokesman for South Africa's Border Management Agency told local TV station Newzroom Afrika that none of the passengers on the repatriation flight possessed legal documentation to reside in South Africa.
Okey-Uche noted that delays in processing applications may result in some individuals becoming undocumented migrants.
She emphasized the need for South African authorities to take stronger action against those promoting xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.
"There are a lot of top South African politicians who have spoken up against what's happening, saying it's absolutely wrong.
"But down on the street, we need to see arrests. We know the people in charge. They're not hiding. They've caused mayhem in people's lives, but they're walking free. Some of them are running for election," Okey-Uche added.
Political Context and Government Measures
South Africa is scheduled to hold local government elections in November, with analysts suggesting that migration is becoming a significant campaign issue.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation in response to the protests, announcing new measures to combat illegal migration.
These measures include imprisonment for employers who hire undocumented workers, establishment of dedicated courts to expedite deportations, and implementation of a biometric database for all residents to prevent identity theft.
President Ramaphosa also cautioned South Africans against taking the law into their own hands by targeting individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
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