South Africa: Nigerian Consulate Warns Citizens Ahead of Planned Anti-Foreigner Protests

Johannesburg — The Consulate General of Nigeria has issued an urgent public advisory for all Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa, warning of planned nationwide “anti-foreigner” demonstrations scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026.

The advisory follows reports that various movements have called for a “total shutdown” across all nine provinces of South Africa. According to the Consulate, the protesters are demanding immediate government action against foreign nationals, alleging that they benefit more from the country than local citizens.

Key Details of the Planned March

While the movement is intended to be national in scope, the Consulate highlighted specific areas where activity is expected to be most concentrated:

• Primary Gathering Point: Mary-Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg.
• Time of Gathering: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
• Memorandum Handover: Scheduled for 12:00 PM.
• High-Risk Zones: Significant traffic and disruptions are expected in the Central Business Districts (CBDs) of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban.

Safety Recommendations for Nigerians

In the two-page notice signed by the Consul General, Amb. (Mrs.) Ninikanwa Olachi Okey-Uche, the Nigerian government provided strict safety guidelines for its citizens:

1. Avoid Confrontation: All nationals are “strongly advised” to avoid engaging with or confronting demonstrators.
2. Monitor Local Media: Citizens should stay informed through local news outlets and adopt all necessary safety precautions.
3. Business Closures: Nigerian business owners are advised to consider closing their shops during the duration of the march. The Consulate warned that foreign-owned businesses are often viewed as “soft targets” and there are no guarantees that the protests will remain peaceful.

Government Response

The Consulate confirmed that South African law enforcement agencies have been formally notified of the march and the specific need to protect Nigerian nationals and their interests.

“While we implore our citizens to remain calm and law-abiding, the Consulate General… remains available to discharge all Consular services to our nationals, while continuing to seek for ways to protect our nationals,” the statement read.

Nigerian citizens in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the Consulate General in Johannesburg via the official channels provided in the advisory.