A small village in Limpopo has caused some chatter on social media after community members banded together to prevent one of their own from burying their Nigerian boyfriend in their sacred cemetery.
Tensions in South Africa continue to escalate as locals express frustration at the country’s deteriorating state, which they believe has been exacerbated by the overwhelming presence of immigrants in the country, particularly those without the proper documentation.
These citizens believe that some of SA’s biggest issues, such as unemployment, limited public resources and deteriorating infrastructure are a result of the overwhelming presence of individuals from other countries.
The controversy surrounding immigration in South Africa is not a new one, with the 2018 xenophobic attacks serving as proof. Recently, tensions have continued to escalate, as citizens reiterate the same frustration almost two decades later. With them being unsatisfied with the government’s interventions, they have opted to take matters into their own hands.
In what they call efforts to reclaim South Africa, some citizens, together with some healthcare professionals initiated the first step in a movement that has carried through to the rest of the country, where they took to different healthcare facilities to send away non-South African citizens.
The March and March movement says that only people with South African IDs will be allowed to access public healthcare. The group is blocking foreign nationals from accessing public clinics in Rosettenville and redirecting them to private facilities. @NqobileMadlala_ has more.… pic.twitter.com/8YIDjtNsS8
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 10, 2025
This movement appears to have made its way to some of Mzansi’s smaller communities, as the village of Phake is causing quite the stir across various social media platforms. This comes after members banded together to halt one of their own members from allegedly burying her Nigerian boyfriend.
This community in Limpopo stopped the burial of a Nigerian in their village pic.twitter.com/U2E5WBMt5A
— Kane (@Kane_GM9) July 10, 2025
When providing clarity, some users have explained that this can be attributed to the fact that in this particular community, the cemetery is held to a high regard, and therefore can only allow certain individuals to be buried there.
Furthermore, with South Africa having so many cultures that lean heavily on spirituality, these users believe that burying someone of Nigerian descent there is a bad omen for both the deceased and the remaining community members.
Some say it is xenophobia. How is it xenophobia🤔? South African villages have strict protocols. You can’t even drink, smoke or dress anyhow you want to their cemeteries. Even unknown South Africans cannot be buried there without the approval of the tribal chief & community… https://t.co/gEBhDRmOWi
— Mpho🇿🇦 (@Mphothegreatest) July 9, 2025
Just for clarrity if you didnt know. Limpopo villages are organised. If an individual dies in the village, each and every house contributes R10, provided your book is upto date. When there is a funeral, there are protocols to be observed. You cant just bury anyone.
— stallionheat02 (@stallionheat02) July 10, 2025
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