South Africa’s Fresh Xenophobia Wave: Two Nigerians Killed, Diaspora in Fear
By: Abudu Olalekan
Two Nigerians are dead. Again.
Outrage grows as new attacks targeting foreigners shake communities across South Africa – two men, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, lost their lives in separate incidents fueled by deepening hostility. Nigerian residents there now urge their homeland’s leaders to step forward, insisting safety isn’t just expected but required by law. What happened cuts deeper than headlines suggest. Their demand echoes through cities far beyond borders.
Down south in Johannesburg, officials at the Nigerian consulate said two men have died. One of them, Emmanuel, passed away due to wounds he got during an incident involving soldiers from South Africa – this happened on April twentieth. Then there’s Andrew. Trouble started when officers from Tshwane’s city police took him near Booysens in Pretoria one day earlier. After that, nothing was heard until his remains showed up at the mortuary in central Pretoria.
Families still can’t believe what happened. Security workers stood at the center of both incidents. The consul-general, Ninikanwa Ouke-Uche, described them as deeply disturbing. Shock has spread through Nigerians abroad, local circles, and embassy staff alike.
A report has landed at the South African Police Service, while Nigeria’s diplomatic team urges full openness from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. Investigation clarity now hinges on cooperation across borders, with eyes watching how swiftly answers come.
“We call on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Okey-Uche said. “No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes. Everyone deserves a fair hearing. No one should take the law into their own hands.”
Families of the victims are getting help from the consulate, while officials speak out about how wrong it is to label Nigerians as offenders. With probes still moving forward, Okey-Uche asks those living in South Africa to remain peaceful, follow rules. Wrong assumptions spread fear – this moment needs clarity, not more tension.
Still, the attacks keep coming faster than before.
A crowd surges forward, phones raised. One man stands still – Nigerian, selling goods when voices turn sharp. Shouts rise – not just noise but direction, aimed at him. Leave now echoes between jeers. Foreigner becomes a label thrown like stones. Cameras roll while hands point. He does not move right away. Anger pulses in chants that build rhythm. Footage spreads fast online. Faces blur except his. Protest shifts shape around one demand. Someone yells again, louder. The street feels smaller suddenly. Video ends mid-sound.
“How come you’re here in South Africa selling goods?” one man sneers.
Years stretch behind him at that stall, each day a step toward filling little stomachs. He talks slow, like every word weighs on his shoulders. Kids wait at home, their faces pressed to routine. His hands stay busy sorting goods, never pausing long enough to doubt. Mornings come before light, just to keep meals steady. Not much changes except seasons. Each coin earned goes straight into tomorrow’s bread.
“I didn’t come to South Africa today. I’ve been here a long time,” he says. “The only thing is what I’m doing to feed my children.”
Most people just ignore it.
“From now on, we don’t want foreigners in this town,” one voice declares. “We’re fixing South Africa now.”
“Take your wife and go back to your country,” another shouts. “Take your children and raise them at home.”
A man from Ethiopia fell lifeless near the city center of Johannesburg – one bullet, one moment. Nothing stolen. No argument before it happened. The cameras recorded everything: someone decided he should die.
Bold moves by officers drew a sharp reply. Fear tactics were called out loud. Pressure on law enforcers sparked clear words from above.
“These actions are not only unlawful,” they said, “but they go against the values of dignity, equality, and human rights our democracy was built on.”
Folks in Nigeria are speaking up now – voices rising where quiet once lived.
Out on the streets, things feel more tense these days. NICASA sees a sharp rise in unfriendly behavior, threats, even reports pointing to harsh treatment by officers. Voices within the group say fear is growing. At the front of it all, Frank Onyekwelu stands firm – what’s unfolding cannot be ignored. Trouble simmers just below the surface now.
“We’re seeing inflammatory rhetoric from politicians, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement by some law enforcement,” he says. “This isn’t just an attack on individuals – it’s a threat to African solidarity.”
Now more than ever, Onyekwelu insists that Nigeria’s leaders step up – African leadership must move fast. Not waiting around, he pushes for immediate steps where delays have gone on too long. Because hesitation costs too much, momentum needs to build right now across the continent.
“We appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and our lawmakers to act fast – with firmness and diplomacy,” he says. “Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, contributing members of society. The reckless stereotyping must stop.”
Breathe easy, says NICASA – stick to the rules where you are, handle things the lawful way. People should keep their cool while sorting issues through proper channels. Stay grounded, obey regulations nearby, seek solutions within the system. Let peace guide actions even when challenges rise. Lawful steps matter most during tough moments. Following procedures helps everyone move forward steadily.
Warnings went out through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. As tensions rise in Durban, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal, unrest grows. Looting has spread since clashes began. Damage to buildings followed close behind. Violence became common in affected areas. Because of this, alerts reached community members abroad.
“Avoid confrontations,” the commission advises. “Monitor local developments. In some cases, temporarily shut down businesses to prevent losses.”
From Lagos to Pretoria, things feel tense – yet Alexander Ajayi, now leading Nigeria’s mission in South Africa, sees no pattern behind recent events. Instead of calling it organized violence, he frames the unrest differently. Not every clash signals a plot. While emotions run high, his take stays grounded: isolated incidents, not a sweeping campaign. Rumors spread fast; facts move slower. What looks like targeting might just be chaos without direction. He won’t label what hasn’t been proven. Clarity matters more than speed.
“Let me be clear: Nigerians are not under siege in South Africa,” he says. “The situation is under control. Both governments are working on it.”
Calling these flare-ups just isolated tensions, he pushes for care, while pointing out that officials have already moved to control what’s happening where it matters most.
On Freedom Day, South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about rules and customs. He asked visitors from other countries to follow them carefully.
“To those here legally, respect us as South Africans,” he said. “Respect our laws, our conventions, our traditions – as you’d want us to respect yours.”
Out of concern, Nigeria’s leaders have now asked South African authorities to keep Nigerian citizens safe. Officials across borders are watching closely what happens next.
Fresh off the press, a comment came from Kimiebi Ebienfa – spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – mentioning violence against outsiders in South Africa’s urban areas just days ago.
“As brotherly nations, we urge South Africa to protect the lives and property of Africans living there,” the statement read. “Nigeria remains confident our partnership will continue to drive peace, stability, and development across Africa.”
Out of the past fights against apartheid grew strong links between them – trade, shared security steps, cultural flows. Working together at the AU and in UN meetings stands out in Nigeria’s view.
Thirty two years since democracy began, South Africa marks the moment while Nigeria steps up its promise to deepen ties between the nations.
“On this Freedom Day, we congratulate South Africa and reaffirm our dedication to deepening cooperation for mutual progress,” the statement concluded.
Yet right here, the worry stays put.
