South African authorities have promised firm action against xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians and other foreign nationals after videos circulating online in recent days showed immigrants being harassed, prompting diplomatic protests from Accra. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the incidents as “extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks” and summoned South Africa’s envoy to demand urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.
Ablakwa highlighted one incident in KwaZulu-Natal in which a Ghanaian legal resident was allegedly confronted, asked to prove his immigration status and told to leave South Africa and “fix his country.” He later held talks with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, after which Pretoria reportedly assured Ghana of full-scale investigations into the attacks. Ghana also stressed that such harassment runs contrary to the ideals of African solidarity, recalling its historic support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
South Africa’s acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, condemned the incidents and said all those found inciting or participating in xenophobic violence would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted. Lamola also described attacks on migrants as a threat to South Africa’s constitutional order, urging law enforcement, community leaders and civil society groups to work together to prevent further violence and promote dialogue.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted both legal and undocumented migrants from across Africa. But repeated bouts of anti-migrant sentiment have flared amid economic hardship and unemployment, which remains above 30%. Migrant-rights campaigners say foreigners are often scapegoated for the country’s broader social and economic problems. Official data show that more than three million foreign-born people live in South Africa, or just over 5% of the population.
