[3] The end of apartheid in 1994 saw a large migration of Nigerians to South Africa, due to lax immigration laws as the country opened up after years of international sanctions.

Recent qualitative research suggests that intermarriages do occur between Nigerian men and South African women.

Many Nigerian nationals have ventured into organized crimes involving illegal drug trafficking, sex slaves, prostitutions and internet scams.

[5] The view of Nigerians as drug dealers, human traffickers and internet scammers, spurred attacks by South Africans on various occasions.

The attacks instigated violent reactions on South African businesses in Nigeria as many condemned the xenophobic violence taking place there.

In response, the South African President Ramaphosa, made an apology to Nigeria in 2019 through his envoy Jeff Radebe, stating that he was ashamed of the violence towards Nigerians.

He said, "The incident does not represent what we stand for," adding that South African police would "leave no stone unturned" in bringing those involved to justice.