Foreign nationals in South Africa are increasingly becoming targets of extortion and violent attacks as organised criminal groups intensify their activities across parts of the country.
The development has raised fresh concerns over the safety of immigrants, including Nigerians, amid growing tensions between foreign communities and local criminal networks.
The latest concerns come against the backdrop of heightened anti-immigrant sentiments and a series of violent incidents involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry recently expressed concern over the killings of two Nigerians in separate incidents, saying the deaths raised questions about the safety of foreigners and South Africa’s commitment to preventing targeted attacks.
One of the victims, Nigerian Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, was reportedly killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4. Another Nigerian, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, died in Cape Town on September 5 following what Nigerian authorities described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by South African police officers.
The incidents have further strained relations between Abuja and Pretoria, with concerns extending beyond xenophobic violence to broader questions about the protection of foreign nationals and the activities of criminal groups.
In April, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, warned that the situation involving Nigerians and other black immigrants in South Africa was deteriorating.
The commission said reports indicated that Nigerian pupils were becoming afraid to attend school, while business owners were reluctant to open their shops because of fears of attacks, looting and harassment.
NiDCOM also rejected the stereotyping of Nigerians, stressing that criminality should not be associated with nationality.
It called on South African authorities to strengthen security in affected communities, prosecute perpetrators and establish a joint Nigeria-South Africa safety forum.
The renewed concerns also come as South Africa continues efforts to tackle organised crime and illegal migration. The South African government has said it is strengthening measures against serious and organised crime while increasing immigration enforcement and deportation procedures.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has separately urged the Federal Government to go beyond diplomatic protests and seek legal redress over alleged killings and abuses of Nigerians in South Africa.
Falana said Nigeria could pursue an interstate case against South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that both countries are parties to the African Charter and have ratified the protocol establishing the court.
The latest developments have therefore placed renewed attention on the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly Nigerians, as authorities face pressure to curb both xenophobic attacks and organised criminal activities targeting immigrant communities.
