Nigerian man in KZN admits to entering South Africa through Lesotho, leaving citizens divided

A viral video shows a Nigerian man being confronted by locals inside a small shop, believed to be in KwaZulu-Natal
The man admitted to crossing into South Africa via Lesotho and claimed to hold a valid identification document
South Africans weighed in on the video, with some showing support for the locals and others backing the businessman

A Nigerian man in South Africa admitted that he entered the country through Lesotho, sparking mixed reactions on social media. Deagreez/ @ZANewsFlash (X)
Source: Getty Images

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

KWAZULU-NATAL — A video circulating on social media shows a Nigerian man being questioned by locals about how he entered South Africa, with the man admitting he had come through Lesotho before settling in what is believed to be KwaZulu-Natal.

The footage was posted on X by @zanewsflash and is branded with an "NTUZUMA TV" logo, suggesting it originates from a community or citizen-journalism channel. The exact date of filming has not been confirmed.

Man admits he comes from Nigeria

In the clip, an unseen group of men press the shopkeeper with pointed questions about his nationality and documentation. The man identified himself as originally from Lesotho, saying, "No, I came from Lesotho," before clarifying that he holds a South African ID.

After further questions, he admitted that he was originally from Nigeria and entered South Africa through Lesotho.

The confrontation intensifies when the questioners challenge him on employment. The man gestures to workers around the shop, insisting they are all South Africans. The locals rejected the justification, with some questioning why locals should be employed by him.

How did South Africans react?

The clip drew significant engagement online, with viewers divided between those who viewed the man's presence as a legal matter and others who expressed frustration about immigration and employment.

@NzamaSanel95209 remarked:

"What a creative way to enter."

@lungidosh noted one question asked during the confrontation itself:

"'Why should South Africans be employed by you?' We are in an era of stupidity."

@Vuks75 offered a different reading:

"Just like others, he used a transit visa to Lesotho, but the final destination was SA."

@Erons_09511 defended the man, saying:

"The man clearly says that he has papers, and they're questioning him on how he can employ SANs. Nikka, he created the jobs which you couldn't create in your own country."

@MzwandileMzamo1 wrote:

"He took Malema's advice — creative ways to enter SA."

@BSeventhmay raised a broader concern:

"You can't be asking why our people should be employed by a Nigerian. Are you saying we should be employed by Chinese rather?"

Nigerian man in KZN admits to entering South Africa through Lesotho, leaving citizens divided

Man admits he comes from Nigeria

How did South Africans react?

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