South Africa arrests 80 suspected vigilantes over Xenophobic attacks on migrants

The South African government has arrested about 80 suspected members of vigilante groups allegedly involved in xenophobic attacks and other criminal acts targeting migrants across the country.

South Africa's Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, disclosed the development during the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum held in Lagos, saying the arrests were made across five to six provinces as authorities intensified efforts to restore order and bring offenders to justice.

Moroe stressed that the South African government does not support attacks on migrants, insisting that the country's Constitution protects both documented and undocumented foreigners.

"About 80 people involved in these criminal acts and who are members of vigilante groups have been arrested across five to six provinces, and the law is taking its due course," he said.

He explained that while vigilante groups had taken the law into their own hands by targeting alleged illegal migrants, only law enforcement and immigration authorities have the legal mandate to enforce immigration laws.

"In South Africa, we have witnessed acts of criminality by vigilante groups calling for illegal migrants to return home and taking the law into their own hands. But let me be clear on behalf of my government that the South African Constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants," Moroe stated.

The envoy also dismissed claims that the South African government was behind the attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals, describing such allegations as false.

"I can tell you for free, this is fake news. These acts of criminality by groups taking the law into their own hands do not represent the sentiments of South Africans," he said.

He added that the government condemns all forms of violence and human rights abuses regardless of nationality, noting that authorities are working to stabilise the situation and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.

Moroe also called for stronger diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa, highlighting the two countries' 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations and urging both nations to continue building on their longstanding partnership despite occasional challenges.