“This xenophobia is terrible” — Nigerian herbal medicine seller recounts what he witnessed in South Africa

A Nigerian man has shared his ordeal after returning from South Africa, alleging that worsening xenophobic attacks forced him to abandon his business and return home for safety.

The herbal medicine seller said he experienced discrimination and violence while living in South Africa, claiming many foreigners, particularly Nigerians, were targeted because of their nationality.

‘They focus on Nigerians too much’

In a viral video, the man said operating a business in South Africa came with significant challenges, especially for foreigners who could not speak any local South African language.

“South Africa, we face a lot of challenge for where we do our business,” he said, adding that anyone identified as a foreigner was often treated differently.

According to him, successful Nigerians were frequently viewed with suspicion.

“If you buy a car or you do something nice, they will think maybe you are selling something that is not good to sell,” he claimed.

While acknowledging that some Nigerians may engage in criminal activities, he insisted they should not all be judged the same way.

“It’s not all of Nigerians that are doing a bad thing in South Africa. But they focus on Nigerians too much,” he said.

‘They loot you and beat you’

The man alleged that the situation had deteriorated in recent weeks, making it difficult for foreigners to move freely or continue their businesses.

“And then for now, it’s terrible now. You can’t walk, can’t do anything. They are looting many things. We lost a lot of things in South Africa,” he claimed.

He described the latest wave of xenophobic attacks as worse than previous incidents.

“This xenophobia that is happening now is the worst,” he said, adding that foreigners were allegedly attacked regardless of whether they possessed valid immigration documents.

“Either you have a paper or you don’t have a paper, they must go back home. They don’t want to hear anything. They will loot you, they will take everything and then they will beat you,” he alleged.

The man also claimed that several people had been killed during the unrest, alleging that a Nigerian was recently murdered in Sunnyside.

Returns to Nigeria

Having returned to Nigeria, the herbal medicine seller expressed relief that he escaped unharmed.

“I’m so happy because I can’t be there and lose my life. I’m here in Nigeria now. I’m happy I came back to my fatherland,” he said.

Watch the video here…

Nigerian man who sold medicinal herbs in South Africa says this is the worst xenophobic attack in years pic.twitter.com/hleYaMXfwg

— TheCable (@thecableng) July 2, 2026