Concerning xenophobia, South Africa says it has nothing to hide

In response to mounting pressure on South Africa to address the anti-immigrant movement currently gaining ground in the country, South Africa has responded by distancing itself from such rhetoric.

• South Africa is facing increased anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobic violence, leading to international concern and diplomatic tensions.
• Several African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, have condemned the attacks and are advising their citizens to exercise caution or return home.
• South African officials strongly deny accusations of xenophobia, attributing hostile imagery to fake videos and emphasizing the constitutional right to protest.
• South Africa states it is open to a probe from the African Union and promises to prosecute any crimes committed against foreign nationals.

In recent weeks, South Africa has seen a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobic violence, with a focus on African migrants and foreign-owned enterprises.

The situation has become serious enough that numerous African governments, like Nigeria and Ghana, have openly reacted and issued warnings to their citizens.

The Nigerian Senate, a few days back, discussed taking severe measures such as boycotting South African businesses within its borders, while Ghana has urged the African Union to include the matter on the official agenda for the June meeting in a few weeks.

Nigeria is also preparing to repatriate its citizens in South Africa who are willing to return home voluntarily.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said on Sunday that approximately 130 Nigerians have already registered for the repatriation exercise, with more expected to follow.

Additionally, the governments of Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have issued formal advisories to their nationals residing in South Africa, urging heightened vigilance against potential hostilities.

These directives underscore the escalating diplomatic tensions and the significant international scrutiny resulting from the recent xenophobic incidents.

Responding to these actions, the South African president, via his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, asserted that South Africa is not Xenophobic.

“The matter was discussed yesterday between President Chapo and President Ramaphosa, and they both agreed that, number one, South Africa is not xenophobic. South Africans are not xenophobic,” he stated.

DON’T MISS THIS: Nigeria targets South Africa with economic and diplomatic threats over xenophobic attacks

“Once you have pockets of protest, which is permissible within our constitutional framework, you also have the reality that the issue of immigration is a pressure point, not only here in South Africa, but throughout the world where protests are held on these issues,” Magwenya added.

Adding to this, Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, as seen in the BBC, indicated, without specifying which ones, that videos depicting South Africa as xenophobic are fake.

She stated that "the fake videos and images are not only fake, but they are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine the country's pursuit of a better Africa agenda".

Responding to Ghana’s letter to the AU, the minister noted that South Africa is willing to cooperate with the AU should they choose to investigate.

“On the letter of Ghana saying that they are referring the matter to the AU… our position is that we have nothing to hide, if the AU decides to put the matter on the agenda, we will provide a report, including the facts that are related to the matter, that there are no xenophobic attacks in South Africa,” she stated.

She also mentioned that South Africa is one of the few countries that allows refugees to integrate into society and own businesses, rather than keep them in refugee camps.

She insisted that South Africa is not xenophobic, as the country is working with law enforcement agents to ensure that those who are perpetrating any crimes against foreign nationals are brought to book.