The anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa has hit a new dimension, with anti-immigrant groups issuing undocumented foreigners, including Nigerians, a June 30 deadline to leave their country. The development has reportedly sparked panic among both documented and undocumented foreign nationals who fear for their safety.

The Cyril Ramaphosa government has been under pressure from demonstrators in the past weeks to deport illegal immigrants, whom they blame for the rising unemployment and crime levels in their country.

Following the waves of xenophobic violence against their citizens as a result of the development, Nigeria and other African countries lodged diplomatic protests, complaining about the treatment of their citizens in the Rainbow Nation.

But xenophobic protests have continued in the former apartheid enclave, with some of the protesters allegedly confronting and threatening foreigners, asking them to leave. ChimpReports reported yesterday that a leading figure in the ‘March and March Movement’ was filmed threatening some immigrants with dire consequences.

The group reportedly told the immigrants: “30 June is the deadline, but it’s not like you must leave on the 30th of June. “Don’t leave on the 30th of June; leave now because on the 30th of June, I can’t control the people of South Africa.” Reports claimed that despite assurances by the authorities of the protection of life and property, many foreign nationals are greatly worried.

Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has insisted that no individual or grouping has the authority to instruct any person to leave the country. SAPS spokesman, Athlenda Mathe, said: “No individual or grouping has the authority to instruct any person to leave the country.

“Matters relating to immigration are governed by [the law] and are dealt with through the relevant law enforcement and immigration processes.” Meanwhile, according to ‘OSV News’, Catholic bishops in Africa have urged the South African Government to quickly tame the violence, amid reports of deaths and injuries.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, known as SECAM, condemned the violence as un-African amid armed groups marching to flush out the foreign black African migrants. Cardinal Ambongo said SECAM is “deeply concerned” about the recent events, which “have been marked by acts of xenophobic violence against nationals of other African countries.”