Nigerian and South African MPs Clash at CPA Africa Conference Over Xenophobia Claims

• A heated confrontation broke out between Nigerian and South African lawmakers at the 55th CPA Africa Region Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi
• The clash centred on whether the violence against foreign nationals in South Africa should be labelled 'xenophobia' or attributed to 'illegal immigrants'
• The confrontation came on the same day President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed regional anti-immigrant violence at a SADC public lecture in Durban

MALAWI — Nigerian and South African parliamentarians clashed in a heated verbal confrontation at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi, in mid-August 2026.

Video footage shared on X by @joy_zelda on 14 August 2026 shows a chaotic scene inside what appears to be a tiered conference hall, with attendees pushing, shouting, and gesturing at one another before the commotion gradually subsided into a tense, restless crowd.

The dispute over xenophobia

At the heart of the altercation was a disagreement over terminology. South African delegates resisted the use of the word "xenophobia" to describe the anti-immigrant violence that has gripped parts of the country, insisting instead on framing the issue around undocumented migration. Nigerian lawmakers and other African MPs strongly rejected this position, pushing back during the conference's debates and triggering the visible breakdown in order captured on video.

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The confrontation reflected wider continental frustration over South Africa's approach to border enforcement, anti-migrant protests, and the safety of foreign nationals residing within its borders.

Ramaphosa addresses SADC on the same day

The parliamentary dispute unfolded on the same day that President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a SADC public lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, ahead of the 46th SADC Summit.

Ramaphosa expressed "deep concern and shame" over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, describing the attacks as a rejection of African solidarity. He called on SADC member states to strengthen legal migration frameworks under Vision 2050 while acknowledging community frustrations over the strain undocumented migration places on public services. He nonetheless firmly rejected lawlessness and xenophobia as a response.

South Africans weigh in online

The video on the X page drew sharp and divided reactions from South African social media users.

@NzamaSanel95209 said:

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Julius Malema praises Cyril Ramaphosa’s SADC address, EFF leader backs call for African unity

"Nice 1, we have been experiencing this nonsense from illegal foreigners in our communities when we raise that issue to our government MPs but not paying attention on that now it their turn with legal foreigners... 🤣"

@RonzoMata wrote:

"Is this happening on SA soil? If it is, they really have the nerve to attack our government on our own soil- while they are visitors!"

@tmotloung8808 stated:

"Pan-Africanism has always been a capitalist ideology that is solely motivated by financial gain rather than the needs of the populace. The majority of African leaders are self-centred. Parliament on Pan Parasitism."

See the X post below:

More on xenophobia and immigration

• A South African woman living in the USA sparked debate after revealing how she was treated because of her nationality, with some expats saying they had experienced similar situations.
• AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel backed March and March's decision to focus on civic and humanitarian work, rather than taking the movement into party politics.
• Julius Malema surprised some South Africans by supporting Cyril Ramaphosa's call for African unity and his stance against attacks on foreign nationals.

Source: Briefly News