The Nigerian community in South Africa says at least 105 Nigerians have been killed in the country over the past seven years amid recurring xenophobic attacks against migrants.
This is contained in a statement signed by leaders of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, and the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Frank Onyekwelu.
The group was reacting to a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report attributed to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which reportedly claimed that migrants were not being killed in South Africa.
It described such claims as misleading and warned that denial of migrant-related violence could discourage victims and witnesses from reporting abuses, thereby undermining justice and social cohesion.
The community insisted that Nigerians and other foreign nationals had repeatedly been victims of xenophobic violence, including mob attacks, shootings, vigilante actions and alleged unlawful use of force.
While noting the need for responsible public communication, the group said it was important to acknowledge what it described as recurring incidents affecting migrants.
According to the statement, available community records showed that in 2019, several Nigerian businesses, shops and vehicles were destroyed during xenophobic unrest in Johannesburg, with about 12 Nigerians reportedly killed in the violence.
It added that in 2022, more than 17 Nigerians allegedly died in violent attacks, vigilante actions and alleged misconduct by security personnel.
The group further claimed that over 40 Nigerians were killed in 2023 in incidents involving mob violence, police-related allegations and unresolved violent encounters.
