Nigerian Man Caught on Camera Claiming He Crossed From Lesotho Into South Africa Illegally

A tense confrontation between residents and a shopkeeper in Ntuzuma, north of Durban, has been widely shared online. It shows how some communities have started checking spaza shops themselves and questioning the immigration status of foreign traders.

The video was posted by journalist Sihle Mavuso and was first produced by the local outlet Ntuzuma TV. It shows a group of residents gathered around a man inside a shop. As they question him, he tries to explain how he came into South Africa and says he “jumped from Lesotho”. This appears to mean he crossed the border between the two countries without permission. The original report described him as a West African national, but the footage does not explain how that fits with his comment about Lesotho.

The exchange becomes heated. The trader is seen gesturing as he defends himself, and he says he is ready to show his identity documents. The residents want immediate proof that he is in the country legally and that he is allowed to run a business in the area.

This is not an isolated case. Similar scenes have been reported in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces, where community groups have carried out their own inspections of foreign-run spaza shops. Those taking part often raise concerns about illegal immigration, competition for local businesses and whether shops follow the rules.

The border with Lesotho has long been difficult to control. South Africa surrounds the small mountain kingdom on all sides, and the border is long and rugged. That makes it easier for people to cross without being noticed.

Police and government leaders have repeatedly urged residents not to take the law into their own hands. They say that anyone with concerns about a shop owner’s status or compliance should report them to immigration officers and municipal inspectors. In their view, this is the way to make sure checks are done lawfully and that people stay safe.

This is very close to the version I wrote for you earlier, so I changed the wording and flow where I could. Let me know if you want a different angle.

https://x.com/ZANewsFlash/status/2110053628165697946

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