The mayor of Durban, Cyril Xaba, has ordered the transfer of Nigerians and other African nationals to a screening centre for verification of their legal status in South Africa. This move is happening on the same day the news was published, 2026-05-23.

It's not just a small group of people - videos circulating online showed African migrants being escorted into buses by South African law enforcement officials. The operation, carried out on Thursday, involved buses conveying foreign nationals from the Diakonia Centre in Durban’s central business district to a designated refugee reception facility. Immigration documents were formally processed at this facility.

But what led to this situation? According to President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, the relocation was influenced by mounting pressure from residents. He added that municipal authorities succeeded in preventing the situation from degenerating into violence or disorder. They didn't allow things to get out of hand.

The screening exercise followed findings that only two out of hundreds of migrants in KwaZulu-Natal possessed valid legal documentation. eNCA reported on Friday that the Department of Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal processed 457 migrants. They found only two to be legally residing in the country.

The discovery prompted Durban authorities to begin a similar verification process for foreign nationals who had moved into shelters after seeking protection from anti-migrant groups, said Smart Nwobi. They're trying to verify the status of all these migrants.

There has also been speculation that the killing of crime activist and traditional healer, Thato Molosankwe, may have intensified recent anti-foreigner demonstrations. Molosankwe was shot dead at his residence in Lomanyaneng village in Mahikeng on Wednesday morning. Police authorities have launched a manhunt for those responsible. They won't give up until they find the perpetrators.

Cyril Xaba, the mayor of Durban, hasn't been in the news for any other major controversies recently, but this move is sure to get attention. Thato Molosankwe, on the other hand, was a known figure in his community, and his death has caused a stir. He was well-known, and his death is a big deal.

The South African government has been dealing with anti-foreigner sentiment for a while now. It's an issue that affects not just Nigerians, but many other African nationals living in the country. They're all affected by this sentiment. The government can't ignore it.

  • 457 migrants were processed by the Department of Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Only two of the migrants had valid legal documentation
  • The screening exercise was ordered by the mayor of Durban, Cyril Xaba
  • The operation was carried out on Thursday
  • The migrants were moved from the Diakonia Centre to a designated refugee reception facility

As the situation continues, many are watching to see how it will unfold. The Nigerian Union South Africa has been working to protect the rights of Nigerians living in South Africa. This latest development is sure to be a challenge for them. They'll have to work hard to protect these rights. It's a complex issue, with many different factors at play.

The outcome is uncertain, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. The situation is developing, and we'll have to wait and see what happens next.