South African authorities have arrested about 80 suspected members of vigilante groups allegedly involved in xenophobic attacks and other criminal activities targeting migrants, as the government intensifies efforts to restore order and prosecute those responsible.

The disclosure was made by South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The forum, themed “The Future of Nigeria-South Africa Relations: Advancing Bilateral Cooperation in a Changing World,” brought together diplomats, business leaders and key stakeholders from both countries.

Moroe said the suspects were arrested across five to six provinces during coordinated security operations aimed at dismantling vigilante groups accused of attacking foreign nationals and unlawfully assuming immigration enforcement responsibilities.

“About 80 people involved in these criminal acts and who are members of vigilante groups have been arrested across five to six provinces, and the law is taking its due course,” he said.

The envoy stressed that the South African government neither supports nor condones attacks against migrants, maintaining that the country’s Constitution guarantees the rights and protection of everyone within its borders, irrespective of their immigration status.

“In South Africa, we have witnessed acts of criminality by vigilante groups calling for illegal migrants to return home and taking the law into their own hands,” Moroe said.

“But let me be clear on behalf of my government that the South African Constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants. Only competent law enforcement agencies and immigration officers have the legal authority to deal with migration issues.”

Moroe also dismissed claims circulating in Nigeria and other countries that the South African government was orchestrating attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

“In Nigeria, we have seen direct reprisals and pushbacks as a response to what is perceived as an onslaught by the South African government against migrants. I can tell you for free, this is fake news,” he said.

According to him, the actions of the vigilante groups neither reflect the position of the South African government nor represent the views of the country’s citizens.

“These acts of criminality by groups taking the law into their own hands do not represent the sentiments of South Africans. The government condemns all acts of criminality and violations of human rights against any individual, whether a South African citizen or a foreign national, because the Constitution protects everybody. No individual in South Africa is permitted to take the law into their own hands,” he added.

Moroe said security agencies were continuing operations to stabilise affected communities and ensure that those responsible for the attacks were brought to justice.

He also called for stronger diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that both countries have enjoyed 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic ties founded on shared history, mutual respect and cooperation.

The Consul-General acknowledged Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle and urged both nations to deepen bilateral cooperation despite occasional diplomatic challenges.

Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Ije Jidenma, represented by the chamber’s Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ajibola Olomola, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting trade, investment and commercial partnerships between the two countries.

The forum was attended by representatives of South African Airways, MTN Nigeria, the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators and other public and private sector stakeholders seeking to strengthen economic cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies.