adsCyril Xaba, Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, has ordered the transfer of Nigerians and other African nationals in Durban, South Africa, to a designated screening centre for verification of their immigration status amid escalating anti-foreigner tensions in the country.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, saw municipal authorities deploy buses to move foreign nationals from the Diakonia Centre in Durban’s central business district to a refugee reception facility where officials began formal documentation and legal status checks.
Videos that circulated widely on social media showed groups of African migrants being escorted into buses by South African law enforcement officers, sparking reactions online and reigniting concerns over renewed xenophobic campaigns in parts of South Africa.
The latest development comes amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment that has intensified since the beginning of the year, with some South Africans accusing foreign nationals of contributing to unemployment, crime, and economic hardship.
Confirming the incident, Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, said the relocation was influenced by mounting pressure from local residents demanding the removal of undocumented migrants.adsads
