NEWS
South Africa Cracks Down on Xenophobic Vigilante Groups, Arrests 80 Suspects as Government Distances Itself from Attacks on Migrants
The South African Government has launched a major crackdown on vigilante groups accused of orchestrating xenophobic attacks and other criminal activities against migrants, arresting about 80 suspects across several provinces in a decisive move aimed at restoring law and order.
The disclosure was made by the Consul-General of South Africa to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, during the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum held in Lagos on Wednesday.
The forum, themed “The Future of Nigeria-South Africa Relations: Advancing Bilateral Cooperation in a Changing World,” brought together diplomats, business leaders and key stakeholders to discuss the future of relations between Africa’s two largest economies.
Addressing concerns over recurring attacks on foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians living in South Africa, Moroe stressed that the South African Government neither supports nor condones acts of xenophobic violence, insisting that those responsible were criminal elements acting outside the law.
He revealed that authorities had already intensified operations against the groups, leading to multiple arrests across different parts of the country.
“About 80 people involved in these criminal acts and who are members of vigilante groups have been arrested across five to six provinces, and the law is taking its due course.
“In South Africa, we have witnessed acts of criminality by vigilante groups calling for illegal migrants to return home and taking the law into their own hands.
“But let me be clear on behalf of my government that the South African Constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants.”
The Consul-General explained that South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the rights and dignity of every individual within its borders, regardless of immigration status, adding that migration-related issues remain the exclusive responsibility of authorised law enforcement and immigration agencies.
He added:
“Only competent law enforcement agencies and immigration officers have the legal standing to deal with migration issues.”
Moroe also dismissed widespread claims suggesting that the South African Government was sponsoring or encouraging attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals, describing such allegations as false and misleading.
According to him, criminal actions carried out by self-appointed vigilante groups should not be interpreted as official government policy or as reflecting the attitude of the South African people.
He said:
“In Nigeria, we have seen direct reprisals and pushbacks as a direct response to what is perceived as an onslaught by the South African government against migrants. I can tell you for free, this is fake news.
“These acts of criminality by groups taking the law into their own hands do not represent the sentiments of South Africans.
“The government condemns all acts of criminality and violations of human rights against any individual, whether a South African national or a foreigner, because the Constitution protects everybody. No individual in South Africa is allowed to take the law into their own hands.”
Reiterating the government’s commitment to ending the violence, Moroe said security agencies were working relentlessly to stabilise affected communities while ensuring that those responsible face justice.
He stated:
“We are working daily to stabilise the environment and bring perpetrators to book. About 80 people involved in these acts of criminality and members of vigilante groups have been arrested in about five to six provinces, and the law is taking its due course.”
Beyond the security concerns, the South African envoy called for stronger diplomatic, economic and commercial relations between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that both nations have enjoyed 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations founded on shared history, mutual respect and solidarity.
He recalled Nigeria’s significant role during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that the long-standing partnership between both countries should continue to flourish despite periodic tensions arising from isolated incidents.
Earlier at the forum, the Chairman of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Ije Jidenma, represented by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ajibola Olomola, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to expanding trade and investment opportunities between both countries.
He noted that the Chamber would continue to facilitate collaboration among businesses, encourage partnerships at subnational levels and promote deeper commercial engagement capable of unlocking new opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs in Nigeria and South Africa.
The event attracted prominent figures from both the public and private sectors, including the Country Manager of South African Airways in Nigeria, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, representatives of MTN Nigeria, members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, and other leading stakeholders committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two African nations.