‘I Lost Everything’: Returnees Recount Losses as They Flee South Africa Amid Xenophobia

By Emmanuel Kwada

Emotional scenes unfolded as Nigerians returning from South Africa shared accounts of loss, fear and uncertainty, describing how rising anti-foreigner sentiments and security concerns forced many of them to abandon businesses, properties and livelihoods built over several years.

The returnees, who arrived in Nigeria through an evacuation process, spoke of difficult experiences ranging from alleged harassment and intimidation to the destruction of businesses and the loss of loved ones.

Mr Mwara Abuchukwu John. Credit: Vanguard online.

Several of them said they were relieved to be back home despite leaving behind investments accumulated over many years.

One returnee, Mr Mwara Abuchukwu John from Anambra State, who had lived in Johannesburg for more than seven years, described the atmosphere in parts of South Africa as increasingly hostile toward foreign nationals.

According to him, many migrants lived in constant fear, unable to move freely or feel secure even in their homes.

He alleged that foreigners, including those with valid immigration documents, often faced intimidation and extortion, adding that many Nigerians felt abandoned as tensions escalated.

The returnee also claimed that some individuals involved in the evacuation process lost their lives before they could return home, while others reportedly fell victim to criminal attacks.

Another Nigerian, who spent about 14 years in South Africa, said repeated attacks had destroyed the life he worked hard to build. He explained that his electronics and phone accessories business was allegedly targeted on more than one occasion, with shops and properties destroyed during outbreaks of violence.

Many foreign nationals faced growing resentment from some locals who believed immigrants were taking jobs.

According to him, after rebuilding from an initial attack, he suffered another devastating setback years later when his business was again destroyed, forcing him to relocate to another province. Despite the move, he said the hostility persisted.

The returnee maintained that he had operated a legitimate business throughout his stay in South Africa and had never been involved in criminal activity. Nevertheless, he said he continually felt targeted because of his nationality.

For another evacuee, the experience was even more tragic. He recounted losing not only his source of income and personal property but also members of his family during his years in South Africa.

The man, who had spent over a decade in the country, said the pain of those losses remained overwhelming and was one of the major reasons he chose to return to Nigeria.

One of the returnees. Credit: Vanguard online.

A female returnee said she initially moved to South Africa in search of better economic opportunities but eventually found herself living in fear.

She claimed that many foreign nationals faced growing resentment from some locals who believed immigrants were taking jobs and economic opportunities away from South Africans.

According to her, anti-foreigner demonstrations and public campaigns demanding that migrants leave the country created an atmosphere of insecurity that made daily life increasingly difficult.

Another returnee, identified as Samuel, said he relocated to South Africa to advance his career after previously working in MTN customer service. However, he explained that concerns about personal safety eventually outweighed the opportunities available to him.

He noted that foreigners were often easily identified through language differences and accents, making them vulnerable during periods of heightened tensions.

Samuel said many migrants felt compelled to leave because they feared becoming victims of violence if they remained.

Mrs Emmanuella. Credit: Vanguard online.

The testimonies come against the backdrop of longstanding concerns over xenophobia in South Africa, where outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence have periodically erupted over the years.

Foreign nationals from several African countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Malawi, have often borne the brunt of such incidents, with previous attacks resulting in deaths, injuries and widespread destruction of businesses.

South African authorities have consistently condemned xenophobic violence and pledged to protect all residents regardless of nationality. However, concerns remain among migrant communities who say they continue to face discrimination, hostility and security threats in some parts of the country.

For the Nigerian returnees, the immediate challenge now is rebuilding their lives after leaving behind years of investment and hard work.

Many arrived home with little more than personal belongings, uncertain about what lies ahead but grateful to have escaped what they described as an increasingly dangerous environment.

Despite their losses, a common theme ran through their accounts: relief at returning to Nigeria alive and the hope of starting afresh in the country they still call home.

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