DEFIANCE IN DURBAN: Nigerians refuse eviction, arm themselves against xenophobic mobs
Tensions have reached a boiling point in South Africa as several Nigerian nationals, defying an unofficial June 30 deadline to leave the country, have reportedly taken up arms to defend themselves against aggressive anti-migrant groups.
The development follows a fresh wave of xenophobic mobilization led by local pressure groups, sparking global outrage and raising fears of full-blown communal violence.
‘Mass deportation’ demands trigger violence
For weeks, anti-migrant groups like “March and March” have been mobilizing locals against foreign nationals, claiming illegal immigrants are taking up jobs and public services.
Speaking to a crowd in Durban just 24 hours before the unofficial eviction deadline, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March group, demanded immediate government action.
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“South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners, increasing unemployment,” Ngobese-Zuma said. “We want mass deportation. For the next six months, we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”
Following the expiration of the deadline, vigilante groups began breaking into homes and hotels suspected of harboring migrants. In one viral video, a man, his pregnant wife, and their young children were filmed being forcefully chased out of their home onto the streets by protesters.
According to local police, the latest outburst of anti-immigrant violence has already claimed the lives of at least two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian, and a Malawian.
Defiance and standoffs on the streets
While several African governments—including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique—have organized emergency repatriation flights and buses to evacuate over 25,000 citizens, some Nigerians have vowed to stand their ground.
A verified video clip circulating online over the weekend captured a volatile standoff. The footage shows a makeshift line marked with ropes separating an aggressive crowd of South African protesters from a group of defiant Nigerians.
Heavily armed police officers were seen positioned between both factions in a desperate bid to maintain peace. Several individuals on the Nigerian side were spotted holding cutlasses and other light weapons.
A gunshot was heard during the recording, prompting defiant chants from the Nigerian group. “Can you hear the gunshots?” the video commentator remarked as the situation deteriorated into chaos, noting that the Nigerians were simply “waiting for the South Africans to cross the line.”
Diplomatic silence amid strained relations
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian nor the South African authorities have issued official statements regarding this specific standoff.
Historically, recurring xenophobic violence has severely strained diplomatic ties between Abuja and Pretoria. The Nigerian government has repeatedly condemned these targeted attacks, forcing the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to issue ongoing safety advisories.
Nigerian officials continue to urge citizens in South Africa to remain calm, avoid known flashpoints, and immediately report security threats to local law enforcement, even as calls grow louder for South African authorities to decisively protect foreign nationals.
