Fresh tensions have emerged in South Africa after a viral video surfaced online showing a group of South Africans issuing a new warning to foreign African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country before June 30, 2026.
The development has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians living both in South Africa and at home, with some insisting the ultimatum applies only to undocumented migrants in specific communities, while others fear it could trigger another wave of xenophobic violence against foreigners.
In the viral video seen by Diaspora Tales, a man believed to be a leader of an anti-foreigner group was seen moving through the streets confronting foreign nationals and warning them to leave South Africa before the deadline.
The man claimed he might not be able to restrain angry South Africans if foreigners remained in the country after June 30.
According to him, foreigners should ignore assurances from government authorities and security agencies and instead take the warning seriously to avoid possible attacks.
The video quickly generated outrage among Nigerians, especially following reports that some foreigners had already been harassed and intimidated in certain areas.
Reacting to the incident, a Nigerian lawyer based in Johannesburg, Austin Okeke, condemned the campaign, describing it as unlawful and dangerous.
Okeke said the anti-foreigner mobilisation reportedly took place in KwaZulu-Natal and accused South African authorities of failing to stop individuals openly threatening foreign nationals.
Investigations by Diaspora Tales showed that South Africa has witnessed multiple anti-foreigner protests since the beginning of 2026, with demonstrations reportedly organised in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Some of the groups linked to the protests include Operation Dudula, March and March Movement, and Abahambe Movement.
The groups have repeatedly demanded stricter immigration controls and the removal of undocumented foreigners from South Africa.
Reports also indicated that several Nigerian and foreign-owned businesses were temporarily shut during some protests, especially in Estcourt, where local authorities met with foreign shop owners over documentation concerns.
According to South African media reports, the mayor of Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality, Mduduzi Myeza, recently held meetings with foreign business owners after protests over alleged undocumented businesses and immigration violations.
The affected business owners were reportedly given 21 days to regularise their documents or face action in line with South African laws.
However, some Nigerians living in South Africa insisted the situation was being exaggerated online.
A Nigerian resident in Pretoria, who spoke anonymously, explained that the directive was aimed mainly at undocumented immigrants within certain municipalities and did not apply to all Nigerians or legal foreign residents across South Africa.
The source stressed that not every South African supports xenophobic attacks and warned against generalising the actions of a few groups to the entire country.
A Nigerian activist in Pretoria, Solomon Ashoms, also criticised the anti-foreigner movements, accusing their leaders of spreading misinformation and fueling hatred against immigrants.
According to Ashoms, some protest organisers have shifted from demanding immigration reforms to openly targeting all foreigners regardless of their legal status.
He warned that emotional propaganda and false information could increase hostility and eventually lead to more violence if not addressed quickly.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerians Citizens Association in South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, confirmed that Nigerian authorities were monitoring the situation closely.
He stated that the Nigerian High Commission and Consulate were already engaging relevant stakeholders while verifying the South African government’s official position regarding the growing tension.
According to him, evacuation may become necessary if the security situation deteriorates or if Nigerians face direct threats to their lives.
Also reacting, the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the Nigerian government had started compiling the names of citizens willing to be evacuated if the crisis escalates.
Ebienfa explained that no evacuation date had been fixed yet, but authorities were closely observing developments on the ground.
He added that evacuation plans would only be activated if tensions worsen significantly and Nigerians become unsafe in affected areas.
The latest controversy has once again revived fears of xenophobic violence in South Africa, where previous attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals have led to deaths, injuries, destruction of businesses, and diplomatic tensions between African countries.
