Some Nigerians in South Africa who appeared to have rejected the June 30 deadline to leave the country have taken up arms to defend themselves.
Daily Trust reports that anti-migrant groups have been pushing for the ejection of foreign nationals, a move that has generated global outrage.
Groups such as March and March, who are at the forefront of those mobilising against illegal immigrants, claim they take jobs and services from locals.
“South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners, increasing unemployment,” the leader of the March and March group, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, told a crowd in Durban 24 hours to the unofficial deadline for migrants to leave.
“We want mass deportation,” she said. “For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”
After the deadline, the groups broke into homes and hotels where they said migrants where hiding.
In a footage, which went viral, a man and his family comprising minors were seen being chased out of his house.
“My wife is pregnant,” he kept saying as the protesters marched them on the street.
At least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian have been killed in the latest outburst of anti-immigrant violence, according to police.
Several African governments — including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique — have organised voluntary repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.
More than 25,000 people had been processed for departure in recent weeks, authorities said Monday.
However, some Nigerians who have vowed not to leave South Africa have taken up arms to defend themselves.
In a video seen on Saturday, two groups facing each other across a makeshift line marked with ropes, with police officers positioned between them in an apparent effort to prevent violence.
On one side were Nigerians, while their aggressive hosts stood on the other end. The commentator in the video claimed that the Nigerians were “waiting for the South Africans to cross the line” while security personnel stood between both sides. The video also appears to show some individuals on the Nigerian side carrying cutlasses and other light weapons. A gunshot is heard during the recording, prompting chants from the crowd in apparent defiance of the reported deadline. The commentator claimed, “Can you hear the gunshots?” as the situation became increasingly chaotic.
Daily Trust subjected the video to checks and found out that it is authentic. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian or South African authorities had not issued official statements on the incident. The Nigerian government has repeatedly condemned attacks targeting its citizens in South Africa and has urged the South African authorities to guarantee their safety. Through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, officials have maintained contact with affected Nigerians while advising them to remain calm, avoid flashpoints and report threats to security agencies. Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have been strained several times over recurring xenophobic violence, with previous and recent attacks prompting diplomatic protests, evacuation of Nigerians and calls for stronger protection of foreign nationals living in the country.