The South African Consulate in Lagos has denied reports that it stopped issuing visas to Nigerians amid ongoing anti-migrant protests in South Africa.

The Consul General, Professor Bobby Moroe, said visa applications were still being processed and that qualified Nigerian applicants would not be denied visas because of the protests.

Moroe made the clarification during a round-table organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, adding that Nigerians continued to travel to South Africa for tourism and other legitimate purposes.

He said visa applicants would only be denied if they failed to meet the requirements for the category of visa they applied for, stressing that Nigerians would not be discriminated against.

The consul general also highlighted South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which was designed to make travel authorisation faster and more convenient. He said the digital system had reduced documentation requirements and allowed prospective travellers to apply using their mobile devices.