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Durban Mayor Orders Immigration Screening of Nigerians, Other African Nationals
South African authorities processed hundreds of migrants in Durban after reports showed only two had valid legal documents, according to local media.
Durban mayor Cyril Xaba has ordered the transfer of Nigerians and other African nationals to a screening facility for verification of their immigration status in South Africa.
The Thursday operation saw buses move migrants from the Diakonia Centre in Durban’s CBD to a designated refugee reception centre where officials processed their legal documents.
Footage circulating online showed law enforcement officers escorting migrants onto buses, drawing widespread attention and debate on social media platforms.
The development comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, where anti-foreigner groups have intensified protests against migrants from other African countries.
President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, confirmed the incident, saying authorities acted following pressure from members of the local community.
He added that officials were able to contain the situation and prevent any outbreak of violence.
Reports by South African media indicated that the screening exercise was prompted by findings that only two out of hundreds of migrants in KwaZulu-Natal possessed valid immigration papers.
According to eNCA, the Department of Home Affairs screened 457 migrants and discovered that only two were legally in the country.
The report stated that Durban officials later initiated a similar process for migrants who had relocated to shelters after fleeing anti-migrant threats.
There are also suggestions that the recent killing of crime activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe may have fueled fresh anti-foreigner protests.
Molosankwe was reportedly shot dead at his home in Lomanyaneng village in Mahikeng on Wednesday morning, leading police to begin a search for those behind the attack.
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