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The first flight carrying 270 Nigerians from South Africa took off from Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday morning.
After a delay in the flight bin experience they finally left for South Africa early in the morning.
The 270 Pipo Day is part of the Nigerian Consulate's nearly 1000 Pipo Way, asking them to register to return to Nigeria.
Nigerians have returned to South Africa following weeks of protests and attacks on illegal immigrants.
Countries like Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique bring some Indian citizens from South Africa.
Last Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that xenophobia and immigrants in South Africa will not lead to poor economic conditions and unemployment for any country.
'Dame Bin Don attacked me inside the taxi, I left my phone and everything and ran away'
Meanwhile, on his way to Johannesburg or Tambo airport, Justin was one of the passengers returning to Nigeria and told the BBC I have lived in South Africa since 1998 and am scared they are coming and killing him.
“I agree because of the conditions they have given us. They have said we have to come back on or about June 30th. And the way they have killed our brothers Pipo, so I am not safe.”
I am referring to the informal deadline given by some of the protesters who are protesting for all undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.
This deadline has created fear inside the expatriate communities, they are worried whether they will continue to meet said katakata on the day of the deadline.
Justin Tok says that Dem Bin Don is already attacking Before.
“Recently dem bin attack me already inside the taxi. I run and I leave my bins and run away. I leave my phone and avaritin.”
What I want to say is that the attack on Dame Bin is just saying that I am Nigerian.
“They call us names and say you should leave this country. When we try to plead with them, they start insulting us.
There are no official figures regarding the number of deaths caused by xenophobic Kassala in recent weeks.
Police say two Mozambican men traveled to the Western Cape earlier this month, but have not disclosed their motive.
Mozambican officials say more about Dia Conti Pipo KPAE and they say no to xenophobic violence.
Some protesters have blamed illegal immigrants for South Africa's high rate of unemployment, which is estimated at between 30 and 40%.
They also say migrants put pressure on public services like schools and hospitals. But Nigeria's consul general to South Africa, Nnikanwa Oke-Uche, told the BBC he would not blame the migrants.
“The percentage of immigrants in South Africa is about 7 to 8%. It's not, and there shouldn't be any problem. So, they basically use immigrants as scapegoats. They can't blame 7 to 8% of the population for broken systems for education, health care, policing, unemployment.”
He further stated that many immigrants remain undocumented even when they grant them valid visas and said that Pipo should avoid generalizing the entire population because of the actions of a few Pipo.
“As a Nigerian and the Consul General, we should really be careful that Nigerians are generalised. You only get a few people who are involved in crime, and then you paint everywhere with the same brush. But in the same way we don't want to generalise, I also tell my Pipo, don't generalize them South Africans. Whatever xenophobia South Africans do is still small Percentage.”
Over the weekend President Cyril Ramaphosa Bin gave an address responding to the protests. I'm announcing new measures to crack down on illegal migration.
These measures include jailing employers who hire undocumented workers, setting up dedicated courts to expedite deportations, and obtaining a biometric database for the country's residents to avoid identity fights.
I also warn South Africans not to take the law into their own hands by targeting suspects accused of illegally entering the country.
But Mrs Oke-Uche says South African authorities need to do more.
“For a long time, they have been right at the top. Many of South Africa's top politicians are speaking out against what is happening. They are saying they are absolutely wrong. But down the road, we need to see arrests. We know they are in charge, they are not hiding.
They cause Katakata to take many Pipo lives, but after they are freed, some of them run for election. So, at the end of the day, we respect the president and his idea, but we want to see clear action against Pipo who carries out xenophobic attacks and anti-foreign sentiments.”
