South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria following engagements between International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and the Nigerian government, following heightened public tensions over migration and crime in South Africa.
During a meeting in Abuja, Lamola, as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy, met with a senior Nigerian government delegation.
Lamola highlighted areas of concern regarding public tensions involving Nigerian nationals in his recent meeting with the Nigerian government. Lamola said these concerns include the “purported installation of an unrecognised “Igbo King” in the Eastern Cape”, criminal activities for which more than 500 Nigerian nationals had been arrested since 7 July, and instances where law enforcement officers encountered violent resistance during criminal investigations.
“Regrettably, these incidents have fueled negative perceptions surrounding Nigerian nationals living in South Africa over the years. Addressing these challenges firmly, fairly, and within the bounds of the law is vital for the well-being of both our nations,” said Lamola.
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According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), both delegations also reviewed concerns surrounding law enforcement operations and agreed that criminal conduct should be addressed through evidence-based policing while safeguarding constitutional rights, due process and humane treatment for all detainees.
“Law enforcement remains the exclusive prerogative of the state… While South Africa will not tolerate criminal activity by any individual regardless of nationality, we equally will not permit vigilante action or xenophobic violence against foreign nationals residing in our country. To this end arrests have taken place and relevant investigations are still underway,” said Lamola.
DIRCO advised that the delegations for both countries agreed that there’s an urgent need to address all forms of xenophobia and related intolerance and plan to strengthen ties in future.
Lamola also recently met with Ghana’s President John Mahama for a similar purpose.
Yesterday, I met with His Excellency President Mahama of Ghana as a Special Envoy on behalf of President Ramaphosa in Accra. We engaged in an open dialogue on key issues impacting both our nations.
We underscored our position against all forms of intolerance, we categorically… pic.twitter.com/OwJj54OBqz
— Minister: International Relations and Cooperation (@RonaldLamola) July 22, 2026
