A Nigerian man who recently returned from South Africa has recounted how alleged xenophobic threats forced him to abandon his home, business, and properties to protect his life and that of his family.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News, the returnee said he fled the country after receiving repeated death threats from people in his neighbourhood.
According to him, one of the most frightening encounters came from a petrol station attendant he regularly patronised, who allegedly threatened to kill him if he failed to leave South Africa before June 30.
“I left because of a lot of threats, physical threats.”
Recalling the incident, he said the attendant warned him:
“Come 30th of June, you will know I’m not a young man. I will make sure that I sl+ce your head.”
He alleged that the man went on to describe how he intended to kill him and harm his family.
The returnee said his Zulu landlord later advised him to leave the area, explaining that although the majority of South Africans are peaceful, “these are the few rotten eggs.”
According to him, the warning came shortly before two Malawian neighbours were allegedly killed in a violent attack. He said he was subsequently informed that he would be the next target and that his house would also be attacked.
Fearing for his safety, he said he sold one of his vehicles at a giveaway price after another was vandalised. He also relocated his wife and children to a secret location and abandoned the house he had been paying for through a mortgage.
The man further revealed that even after he left South Africa, his wife continued to face harassment because of her marriage to a Nigerian.
“She even called me now and said she is being questioned and asked, ‘Why did you marry a Nigerian?’”
He also claimed that he received threatening messages on Facebook warning him to leave the country or face death.
“They said if I don’t leave vertically, I’m going to leave horizontally. I’m going to leave in a body bag.”
Despite losing his business, home, and other valuable possessions, the Nigerian said returning home was the safest decision.
According to him, no amount of property was worth risking his life.