South Africa condemns ‘fake videos’ of alleged xenophobic attacks

South Africa’s government has condemned the circulation of what it called “fake videos and images” that have been described by some as recordings of attacks on foreign nationals in the country.

The call comes as diplomatic tension has increased between South Africa and other African nations following accusations that xenophobic violence is on the rise once again in the country.

Ghana’s government has written to the African Union (AU) asking the continental body to discuss the issue, which it says is a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans in South Africa.

Nigeria has also raised the issue and has offered to repatriate its nationals amid fears of attacks.

Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have also warned its citizens in South Africa to be aware of possible attacks.

South Africa responded to Ghana’s message saying that it “had nothing to hide”.

This wave of pressure was sparked after video clips were shared online over a fortnight ago that appeared to show vigilante groups harassing people they believed were in South Africa illegally. In one, it was reported that a Ghanaian had been challenged over his status and told to go and “fix his country”.

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The uniformed group targeting foreigners in South Africa

But briefing the media on Thursday following a cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said, without specifying which footage she was talking about, 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”.

Thousands of South Africans have been protesting against illegal immigration in major cities in recent days, demanding the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.

Protesters have said illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime.

Referring to the demonstrations, Ntshavheni said South Africans were within their rights to protest against “the spiralling illegal immigration challenge” but added that violence linked to previous protests was unacceptable.

Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa and has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly attacks. But the current protests have been largely peaceful with no official reports of accompanying looting of foreign-owned shops or violence against undocumented migrants.

South Africa’s government has been stepping up diplomatic efforts to quell growing concern around the continent about rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country.

In its letter to the AU, Ghana said that what it called xenophobia in South Africa “presents a challenge to the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood, and continental unity. It wants a fact-finding mission to be sent to the country.

On Wednesday, Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidential spokesperson said he had emphasised “that South Africa is a welcoming country. South Africans are an open, friendly and warm people. And we will reject any notion that seeks to characterise this country or its people as being xenophobic.”

Referring to Ghana’s letter on Thursday, Ntshavheni echoed the president, saying that there were “no xenophobic attacks in South Africa”.

She acknowledged that foreigners had been victims but put this down to general criminality, which the police needed to deal with, and efforts to undermine the country.