Fresh concerns over xenophobia have emerged in South Africa after authorities in Durban moved many Nigerians and other African nationals to a screening centre for immigration verification, sparking widespread reactions on social media and within migrant communities.

This is just as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has stressed the need for Nigeria and South Africa to deepen dialogue and cooperation in addressing shared continental challenges.

The operation, reportedly ordered by Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba, comes amid mounting pressure from some local groups calling for stricter action against undocumented foreign nationals living in parts of the country.

According to local reports, those affected were taken to a designated verification facility where officials checked residency papers, permits and other immigration documents to determine their legal status in South Africa.

The development triggered anxiety among many Africans residing in Durban, with many community members describing the exercise as another sign of growing hostility towards foreigners in the country.

Witnesses said officials conducted inspections in areas believed to have large populations of migrants from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia and other African countries. Some residents reportedly watched in fear as groups of people were moved for documentation checks.

While South African authorities insist the exercise is part of routine immigration enforcement, critics argue that it reflects a deeper pattern of anti-foreigner sentiment that repeatedly surfaced in the country over the years.

For many observers, the incident revives painful memories of previous xenophobic attacks in South Africa, during which foreign nationals were targeted, displaced and, in some cases, killed during violent protests.

Mayor Xaba reportedly maintained that the verification exercise was aimed at identifying undocumented individuals and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.

Authorities further claimed that a significant number of those screened possessed valid documents.

However, migrant rights advocates insist that the optics of the operation could fuel public hostility toward foreigners, especially at a time when economic hardship and unemployment continue to dominate conversations in South Africa.
OBI met with South African ministers and political party leaders over concerns affecting Nigerians residing in that country, particularly issues relating to immigration, security and rising tensions involving foreign nationals.

The former governor of Anambra State, who arrived in South Africa at the weekend to participate in an international conference, also held engagements with members of the Nigerian community in Cape Town to gain firsthand insight into the challenges they face.

In a statement shared on his X account yesterday, Obi disclosed that he held discussions with three South African ministers and political leaders on ways to strengthen regional cooperation and promote peaceful coexistence between both countries.

According to him, the meetings involved South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, and senior member of the Democratic Alliance, Leon Schreiber; Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Velenkosini Hlabisa, and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Gayton McKenzie.

Obi described the discussions as constructive and frank, noting that they focused on migration issues, economic hardship, youth unemployment, security concerns, and tensions affecting African migrants in South Africa.

He reiterated his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.