Key facts
- Richard Itoro, a Nigerian businessman, voluntarily repatriated from South Africa to Nigeria in June due to escalating anti-migrant sentiment.
- Itoro left his South African wife and twin children behind, citing harassment and fear for his safety.
- He had lived in South Africa for over 15 years, building a business and a family.
- Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian hairstylist, also reported being harassed and told to leave South Africa despite having legal documentation.
- South Africa's high unemployment rate is identified as a key driver of anti-migrant sentiment.
- Diplomatic tensions are rising between South Africa and other African nations over the treatment of foreign nationals.
Richard Itoro, a 47-year-old Nigerian national, has returned to Nigeria after leaving his wife and twin children behind in South Africa due to escalating anti-migrant sentiment and harassment. Itoro, who had lived in Johannesburg for over 15 years, building a car dealership business and a home, described the decision to leave as painful but necessary for his safety.
He recounted instances of harassment directed at both himself and his wife, with neighbours telling her she was married to a Nigerian and should leave the country. Despite possessing legal documentation to reside in South Africa, Itoro felt increasingly unsafe. His experience is emblematic of a broader trend, with tens of thousands of foreign nationals leaving South Africa in recent months.
Similar accounts have emerged from other African nationals, including Ghanaian hairstylist Emmanuel Asamoah, who was confronted by a group demanding he leave the country. Asamoah stated he was not illegal and offered to verify his status with authorities. These incidents are fueling diplomatic tensions between South Africa and countries like Nigeria and Ghana.
South Africa's high unemployment rate, exceeding 30%, is cited as a primary driver of the anti-migrant sentiment. Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie emphasized the need for migrants to enter the country legitimately. However, Nigerian officials have noted that even those with proper documentation have faced attacks.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola acknowledged the incidents but maintained the country's right to enforce immigration laws, while President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly firm on this stance. Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized the situation, viewing it as a contradiction to Pan-African ideals and a failure to recognize historical support for South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.
Itoro remains in contact with his family and hopes to be reunited with his wife and children soon, describing the separation as heartbreaking and feeling like he lost everything.