397 Nigerians cleared for repatriation from South Africa

No fewer than 397 Nigerians are undergoing final screening for repatriation from South Africa amid growing anti-foreigner campaigns and xenophobic tensions in parts of the country.

The screening exercise, which commenced on Thursday and is expected to conclude on Sunday, is being conducted by South African authorities, including the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed the development on Friday.

According to him, more than 600 Nigerians initially applied to return home, but only 397 were approved for the first evacuation flight after undergoing the required verification process.

“The screening for the repatriation started on Thursday and will end on Sunday, after which about 397 people will be on the first flight back home,” Onyekwelu said.

He noted that the departure date for the inaugural flight has yet to be determined, as the Nigerian Consulate and High Commission continue discussions with the Federal Government to conclude logistical arrangements.

Onyekwelu explained that many of the affected Nigerians had lost their jobs, businesses or legal immigration status, making it difficult for them to remain in South Africa.

“Some of them have become undocumented migrants because their permits were not renewed. The screening is to ensure that those returning do not have criminal cases pending,” he added.

Reports indicate that anti-foreigner protests have intensified in several South African cities this year, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, with Nigerians among the foreign nationals affected.

Authorities in eThekwini Municipality reportedly moved several foreign nationals in Durban to screening centres for documentation checks and verification.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians remain uncertain about their future in the country following threats by groups in KwaZulu-Natal demanding that foreign nationals leave the province by June 30.