By Charles Pemu 
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Nigerians living in South Africa are raising alarms over a new wave of xenophobic threats and harassment spearheaded by an anti-migrant group known as Operation Dudula. This group’s actions, which include blocking foreigners from accessing public hospitals, have reignited fears of another outbreak of xenophobic violence.
A viral video clip shows one of the group’s leaders confronting foreigners at a public hospital, ordering them to “stand up” if they are not South African. This incident and similar reports of harassment have prompted leaders of Nigerian communities to call for urgent diplomatic intervention.
Harrowing Experiences and Calls for Intervention
Leaders of Nigerian associations in South Africa, including Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association, have described the attacks as another wave of xenophobia. Onyekwelu lamented harrowing cases of women giving birth on bare floors outside hospitals and patients being forcefully discharged without proper medical care. He urged the Nigerian and South African governments to intervene diplomatically.
The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, also condemned the continuous harassment, citing a recent case where a nursing mother was barred from taking her baby for immunization. He noted that while South African authorities have condemned the group, their actions continue, violating Section 27 of the South African Constitution which guarantees healthcare rights. Nwobi also pointed out the irony that some individuals leading the group’s campaign, including one featured in the viral video, are not South Africans by birth.
Nigerian Government and Experts React
In response, the Nigerian Embassy has promised to engage South African authorities on the matter. The African Diaspora Forum is also considering legal action, including filing an injunction at the South African High Court.
Nigerian diplomatic experts have weighed in on the issue. Rasheed Akinkuolie, a former Nigerian Consul to Cameroon, labeled the attacks as “illegal, unauthorized, and acts of thuggery,” questioning why the aggression is aimed at Black Africans rather than the white population. He urged the Nigerian government to summon the South African Ambassador in Nigeria to demand an immediate solution.
Ogbole Amedu-Ode, a retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, warned that such actions could “dent African solidarity” and strain diplomatic relations. He emphasized that the onus is on South Africa to protect all residents within its borders.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that African Ambassadors in South Africa are in discussions with the South African government to find a lasting solution to the crisis.