The Nigerian government has announced that the sixth and final evacuation flight for citizens stranded in South Africa due to ongoing anti-immigrant protests will arrive next week, marking the end of its voluntary repatriation programme.
The fifth evacuation flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night, bringing home 282 Nigerians. The flight had been delayed by a day because of technical issues with the aircraft.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 1,141 Nigerians have now been evacuated from South Africa since the exercise began in early June.
The repatriation programme was launched in response to growing anti-migrant demonstrations in parts of South Africa, where concerns over the safety of foreign nationals have intensified. Several African countries, including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique, and Ghana, have also arranged voluntary evacuations for their citizens.
The protests have strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and several African nations. While allegations persist that foreign nationals have been targeted in attacks, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied claims of widespread xenophobic violence. Authorities have also disputed reports of multiple deaths linked to the unrest, although calls for an independent investigation continue.
Meanwhile, the protests have taken a more aggressive turn. Reports indicate that anti-immigration demonstrators have begun conducting door-to-door searches in Johannesburg, targeting homes suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants.
According to Reuters, protesters in the Alexandra township forced entry into several homes before handing over suspected undocumented immigrants to police. Among those detained were a woman from Malawi and her young child, while another man reportedly had legal documentation to remain in the country.
The demonstrations, led by activist and former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, are now expected to take place every Thursday until the group's demands are met.
The movement, known as March and March, blames undocumented immigrants for South Africa's economic challenges and is calling for tighter border controls, mass deportations, and priority access to schools and healthcare for South African citizens.
President Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to reject violence and discrimination against foreign nationals, warning that such actions threaten social cohesion and the country's international relations.
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