South African Authorities Arrest 80 Vigilante Members Over Anti-Migrant Attacks

South African law enforcement agencies have arrested approximately 80 members of vigilante groups linked to xenophobic violence and unlawful acts against foreign migrants across the country.

The Consul-General of South Africa to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, disclosed the arrests during the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum in Lagos. He stated that the suspects were apprehended across five to six provinces as part of a nationwide crackdown on individuals taking the law into their own hands.

Addressing reports of government involvement in anti-migrant actions, Moroe dismissed such claims as false. He clarified that the South African Constitution guarantees protection for both documented and undocumented migrants, emphasizing that only authorized law enforcement and immigration officials have the legal mandate to handle migration enforcement.

The envoy reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its 32-year diplomatic relationship with Nigeria, calling for deeper economic and bilateral collaboration despite recent tensions. Representatives from the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce also reiterated their focus on expanding trade, investment, and private-sector partnerships between both nations.