Nigerian Businessman Resists Shutdown Order as Foreign Shop Row Sparks Fresh Tension in South Africa

(The Shopkeeper. Photo Credit: NTULUZI TV)

A Nigerian businessman who owns a store in South Africa has resisted calls from local demonstrators to close it, claiming that doing so would force dozens of South African workers who rely on the company for their livelihoods to relocate.

The shop owner is seen interacting with people who are calling for the quick closure of foreign-owned businesses in an incident that was caught on camera and shared online, on Tuesday.

Even though the individual requested permission to wait for an official government order and to sell or turn over his business before leaving, the demonstrators insisted that he depart.

The businessman claimed to have all the required paperwork, to have paid taxes for 13 years, and to currently employ more than 30 South Africans.

“This shop used to have one or two employees when it was run by the Chinese.

In the video, the man stated, “But since I started running this shop, I created an opportunity for about 20-something to 30-something South Africans who are working here.”

The conflict occurs as anti-immigrant organizations in South Africa step up their demonstrations; some have given undocumented foreigners until June 13 to depart the nation.

“We don’t want any foreigner to run any business here, including you,” protesters demanded in the video. You close it today.

“We don’t care,” they said, dismissing the shop owner’s paperwork and worries over his staff.

The merchant claimed to be a law-abiding resident with the required licenses and tax records, and he stated that he would only close if the government gave the order.

“I’ve been operating my firm and paying taxes for thirteen years. I’m not unlawful. I will close and leave if the government demands that I do so.

But he stated that his employees continued to be his top priority.

“South Africans in their 30s who work here will be displaced if you close this shop. I want to make sure they’re in capable hands while I’m away. Find a South African who can run this store for me.

The merchant claimed to have all the required paperwork, to have been paying taxes for 13 years, and to employ more than thirty South Africans.

“This shop used to have one or two employees when it was owned by the Chinese.

In the video, the man stated, “But since I started running this shop, I created an opportunity for about twenty-something to thirty-something South Africans who are working here.”

The conflict occurs as anti-immigrant organizations in South Africa step up their demonstrations; some have given undocumented foreigners until June 13 or 30 to leave the nation.

“We don’t want any foreigner to run any business here, including you,” protesters said in the video. You’re closing it today.

The nation’s Home Affairs Minister reported on Sunday that 2,745 foreigners were deported in the week after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to take more aggressive measures against illegal immigration.

As Kubayi revealed that event organizers are routinely canceling shows scheduled for South African artists, the South African government has started to bemoan the impact of xenophobic accusations made by some people, resulting in revenue losses for businesses owned by its citizens abroad.

SOUTH AFRICA XENOPHOBIA: Nigerian Man Refuses to Shut Down Business, Says He Employs Over 25 South Africans

A Nigerian businessman has stood his ground amid ongoing anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa, insisting that he will not close his shop😭😭 pic.twitter.com/1cgNGBoKag

— GRV Stan (@CrownprinceCom2) June 16, 2026