397 Nigerians undergo screening to leave S’Africa amid xenophobic tensions

A total of 397 Nigerians are currently being screened in South Africa as they prepare to leave the country amid rising xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner sentiment. The screening exercise, which commenced on Thursday, is being overseen by the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Reverend Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, disclosed that over 600 Nigerians had initially applied to return home. However, only 397 have been cleared for the first evacuation flight following the screening. The date for this flight has not yet been finalized, as the Nigerian Consulate and High Commission are coordinating with the Federal Government to complete arrangements.

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The screening for the repatriation started on Thursday and will end on Sunday, after which about 397 people will be on the first flight back home.

Onyekwelu explained that many individuals opting for repatriation have faced job losses, loss of livelihoods, or the expiration of their immigration documents, rendering them undocumented migrants. The screening process is designed to ensure that those returning do not have pending criminal cases.

This repatriation effort comes in the wake of anti-foreigner protests that have occurred in several South African cities since the beginning of the year, affecting Nigerians among other foreign nationals. Reports indicate that authorities in eThekwini Municipality have moved foreign nationals to screening centers for documentation verification, while some Nigerians in KwaZulu-Natal await further developments after threats demanding foreigners leave the province.

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Some of them have become undocumented migrants because their permits were not renewed. The screening is to ensure that those returning do not have criminal cases pending.