Nigeria has urged South Africa to strengthen efforts to prevent xenophobic violence against African migrants following renewed tensions between the two countries.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola led a South African delegation to Abuja for high-level talks with Nigerian officials.
President Bola Tinubu appointed a senior Nigerian government delegation to take part in the discussions.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation described the talks as candid, constructive and focused on rebuilding trust between the countries.
Crime and public safety concerns raised
South Africa raised concerns about organised crime, drug trafficking and financial fraud allegedly involving some foreign nationals, including Nigerian citizens.
Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said more than 500 Nigerian nationals had been processed through South Africa’s criminal justice system for various offences by 7 July 2026.
Lamola stressed that law enforcement operations targeted individual criminal conduct and did not amount to the profiling of the wider Nigerian community.
Officials also discussed hijacked residential and commercial buildings in areas including Hillbrow in Johannesburg and Sunnyside in Pretoria.
The Nigerian delegation accepted that alleged lawbreakers should face accountability. However, it called for due process, fair trials and humane treatment for detainees.
Government condemns xenophobic attacks
Lamola said the South African government condemned xenophobia, racism and discrimination.
He warned that crime and public frustration could never justify intimidation, vigilante action or attacks on foreign nationals.
“Law enforcement remains the exclusive prerogative of the state,” Lamola said.
He added that South Africa would act against crime regardless of a suspect’s nationality, while also preventing xenophobic violence against people living in the country.
Arrests have reportedly been made in connection with recent incidents, while investigations remain underway.
Countries commit to continued cooperation
Both delegations agreed that inflammatory public statements and hostile actions must be reduced.
They said migration and safety concerns should be handled through diplomatic engagement, stronger security partnerships and respect for constitutional rights.
The governments reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence, human rights and stronger relations between South Africa and Nigeria.
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