More than 250 Zambians living in South Africa are reportedly living in fear and hiding from violent anti-immigrant attacks, with many having lost their jobs, homes and sources of livelihood.
The stranded nationals are now appealing to the Zambian Government to intervene and facilitate their safe return home, warning that further delays could cost lives.
In a series of emotional phone calls and WhatsApp voice messages, the affected Zambians have described a worsening situation that they say has persisted since June this year.
They want their plight brought to the attention of authorities in Lusaka, saying they can no longer live safely in the country they once considered a place of opportunity.
Mr Michael Musonda, who lives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, said about 50 Zambian families in the area had been affected by the attacks, forcing many to go into hiding.
He said the violence was not directed at Nigerians alone, as foreigners of different nationalities were increasingly becoming targets.
“They are not attacking Nigerians only. Even us Zambians,” Mr Musonda said. “We no longer send our kids to school since June this year. We are not working, and well-wishers are the ones keeping us.”
He said the situation had become even more difficult after property owners were allegedly threatened and ordered to evict foreign tenants, leaving Zambian families with nowhere safe to stay.
“The situation has degenerated after homeowners were also threatened and given an ultimatum to evict us,” he said.
For many of the affected families, the loss of accommodation has compounded the hardship caused by unemployment and the disruption of their children’s education.
With some families now dependent on the generosity of well-wishers, their ability to survive has become increasingly uncertain.
In Pietermaritzburg, another town in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Veronica Bwalya described an atmosphere of fear in which Zambians were afraid to leave their homes or speak freely in public.
She said those who ventured into town had learnt to remain silent to avoid drawing attention to their nationality.
“If you go into town, you need to keep quiet without saying anything,” Ms Bwalya said. “Here in Pietermaritzburg, you cannot even pick up a phone call in a taxi. The moment you do that, you regret answering a phone call.”
Her account illustrates the level of anxiety among foreign nationals, who fear that speaking a language associated with another country could expose them to harassment or violence.
Mr Joseph Katoba, also based in Durban, said the situation had deteriorated to a point where he feared for the lives of Zambians who remained in South Africa.
He appealed to the Government to arrange their repatriation before the violence claimed more victims.
Mr Katoba said it was difficult to establish whether any Zambians had already died in the attacks, arguing that not all deaths were necessarily being recorded or reported.
“We cannot independently say no Zambian has been killed because not all deaths are recorded here,” he said.
He further alleged that foreign nationals were having their homes set on fire and their belongings seized, while authorities were failing to provide adequate protection.
“These people are burning our homes. They are grabbing our properties, and the authority here is doing nothing,” Mr Katoba said.
He also expressed frustration over what he described as an inadequate response from Zambia’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.
According to him, some affected nationals had approached the embassy seeking assistance but had not received the help they needed.
“Some of us have visited the embassy, but nothing has happened. It is like we are not welcome at the embassy anymore,” he said.
The reported attacks and economic hardships are not confined to KwaZulu-Natal. Mr Gift Mubita Nawa said the situation was also tense in Johannesburg, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where Zambians and other foreign nationals were struggling to maintain their livelihoods.
He said many had lost their jobs in June and were now finding it increasingly difficult to secure alternative accommodation or support.
“We are not conducting any business here. We are not working for anyone. We were fired in June, and even people who were offering refuge to us are now tired,” Mr Nawa said.
He added that many had initially hoped the situation would improve, but the continued hostility had left them with little confidence that they could rebuild their lives in South Africa.
“We thought the situation would improve, but it is getting worse every day. All we are asking for is for the government to help us get back home and start a new life,” he said.
Mr Nawa warned that the danger was immediate, citing an alleged violent attack on a neighbour who reportedly had his hand amputated the previous night.
“Please help us reach out to the government that our lives are in danger. Any further delay in helping us move out of South Africa will leave us dead,” he said.
“As I am talking to you, my neighbour had his hand amputated just last night by this group of South Africans. They don’t want us here. They are saying they want to rebuild their country.”
Meanwhile, women and children are among those facing particularly difficult circumstances. Ms Charity Malata, a mother of two, said she had been evicted and was struggling to obtain food because she feared going outside.
She said her circumstances had become desperate, with the threat of violence making even routine activities such as buying food a challenge.
“I can’t go out to buy food. I don’t have money. I was evicted, and these people are coming for me and others here. Please, help us come back home,” Ms Malata pleaded.
The accounts paint a troubling picture of Zambians who say they have been out of work for months, whose children have missed school and whose homes and possessions have allegedly been destroyed or taken.
With their sources of income cut off and those who initially offered shelter struggling to continue supporting them, many fear they have exhausted their options.
The reported violence comes amid escalating anti-immigrant tensions and protests in South Africa, placing pressure on law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining public order and protecting vulnerable communities.
For the Zambians who have spoken out, however, the immediate concern is survival. They say they no longer feel safe enough to work, send their children to school or move freely in their communities.
Their appeal to Lusaka is therefore straightforward: they want the Government to urgently establish the extent of the crisis, engage the relevant South African authorities and provide assistance to those who wish to return home.
They also want their concerns heard by Zambia’s diplomatic mission, which they expect to play a critical role in helping citizens facing danger abroad.
As their accounts continue to emerge, the affected nationals say they are desperate for a coordinated response that will help them escape the violence and begin rebuilding their lives in Zambia.
For families living in hiding, the fear is that without timely intervention, the opportunity to return home safely may disappear altogether.