The Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) has accused South African politicians of deliberately exploiting anti-Nigerian and anti-migrant sentiments to gain political advantage, alleging that foreign nationals have become convenient scapegoats for the country’s economic and governance challenges.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, spokesperson for NUSA, Akindele Olunloyo, claimed that African migrants, including Nigerians, are frequently targeted during election seasons as politicians seek to rally support by blaming foreigners for problems such as unemployment, crime, and poverty.
Olunloyo said that anti-immigrant rhetoric has become a recurring feature of South African politics, especially during periods leading up to major elections.
“The reality is that migrants, specifically African migrants in South Africa, are poor and voiceless,” Olunloyo said.
“South African politicians have also come to realise that this group of people are very vulnerable and they are easy to be used as pawns in the political chess game in South Africa to score very cheap political points.”
Politicians Use Migrants To Divert Attention From Governance Failures
He noted that many politicians have found it easier to direct public frustration toward migrants rather than address the country’s longstanding structural problems affecting the country.
Olunloyo alleged that anti-foreigner campaigns have become an effective political strategy for leaders seeking to divert attention from issues such as corruption, poor governance, inequality, and economic decline.
“There is a lot of political manipulation. These politicians have become political opportunists, using African migrants to score very cheap political points,” he said.
According to him, migrants often become targets because they lack political influence and cannot significantly affect election outcomes.
He said that foreign nationals living in South Africa do not constitute a voting bloc capable of influencing electoral results, making them easy targets for politicians seeking public support.
Operation Dudula And Rise Of Anti-Foreigner Politics
Olunloyo pointed to groups such as Operation Dudula, which he described as one of the most prominent anti-foreigner movements in South Africa.
According to him, the organisation has evolved beyond activism and now functions as a political force that openly campaigns against the presence of foreign nationals in the country.
“Operation Dudula is registered in South Africa as a political party,” he said. “It is a political party. It is a pressure group as well.”
He argued that the rise of such organisations demonstrates how anti-migrant sentiments have increasingly become intertwined with political ambitions.
According to Olunloyo, several individuals who were previously unknown in South African politics gained national attention after launching campaigns against foreigners.
“You find out that the majority of these anti-foreign organisations were nobody. No one knew them until they started speaking against foreigners,” he said. “That is when you win a seat in parliament.”
He alleged that anti-immigrant rhetoric has become a shortcut to political relevance in some quarters, with politicians and activists using inflammatory statements to attract media attention and public support.
Election Year Could Worsen Hostility Against Migrants
Olunloyo warned that the situation could worsen as South Africa approaches local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026.
According to him, election periods have historically coincided with heightened anti-migrant rhetoric and increased hostility toward foreign nationals.
“An election is coming again in South Africa,” he said. “They have also intensified political rhetoric against African migrants.
“It is still going to be very serious, very tough for African migrants in this country, unfortunately, because this is an election year.”
He expressed concern that migrants could once again become targets of political campaigns aimed at exploiting public frustrations over economic hardship.
South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment rates, rising living costs, and widespread dissatisfaction over service delivery in many communities.
Olunloyo said that instead of addressing these challenges directly, some politicians have chosen to blame migrants for problems that have deeper roots.
Migrants Unfairly Blamed For South Africa’s Challenges
The NUSA spokesperson maintained that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for issues stemming from governance failures.
He cited comments previously made by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who argued that foreigners were not responsible for the country’s economic difficulties.
According to Olunloyo, corruption, inequality, and poor governance have contributed far more to South Africa’s challenges than migration.
He said migrants are frequently portrayed as competitors for jobs and public resources despite evidence showing that many of the country’s problems predate recent migration trends.
“Foreigners have become the easiest people to blame whenever things go wrong,” he said. “Instead of dealing with the real issues, politicians point fingers at migrants.”
Crime Narratives Fuel Discrimination, Says NUSA
Olunloyo also challenged narratives linking migrants to the majority of criminal activities in South Africa.
While acknowledging that some foreign nationals engage in crime, he insisted that crime is not unique to migrants and should not be used to stigmatise entire communities.
“The majority of the crimes committed in South Africa are by South Africans themselves,” he said. “But then, a lot of politicians find it very convenient to blame foreigners.”
Olunloyo said that such narratives contribute to hostility against innocent migrants who are law-abiding residents, workers, and business owners.
He warned that repeated political attacks on migrants could encourage discrimination and deepen social divisions within South African society.
Warning Over Growing Xenophobia And Social Division
Olunloyo further argued that anti-migrant rhetoric often creates an environment in which xenophobic attitudes become normalised.
He said this can have serious consequences for the safety and well-being of foreign nationals living in the country.
He noted that many migrants already face challenges ranging from discrimination and harassment to difficulties accessing opportunities and public services.
Olunloyo warned that inflammatory political statements could worsen those conditions and increase tensions between local communities and migrant populations.
Call For Inclusive Policies And Real Solutions
He called on South African leaders to abandon divisive rhetoric and focus on policies that address the root causes of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
He urged politicians to promote unity rather than exploit social tensions for electoral gain.
Olunloyo also appealed to civil society organisations, community leaders, and government institutions to challenge narratives that unfairly blame migrants for the country’s problems.
According to him, meaningful solutions require honest conversations about governance, economic reform, and social development rather than the continued scapegoating of vulnerable groups.
He warned that unless political leaders change course, anti-foreigner sentiments could continue to intensify, placing migrants at greater risk and further polarising South African society.
“The problems facing South Africa will not be solved by blaming foreigners,” he said. “They will only be solved when leaders focus on the real issues affecting the country.”
Olunloyo maintained that migrants should not be used as political tools in election campaigns and urged South African politicians to prioritise policies that promote inclusion, accountability, and economic growth for all residents regardless of nationality.