South Africa’s government has dismissed growing concerns over alleged xenophobic violence, insisting that videos circulating on social media showing attacks on foreign nationals are fake and misleading.
The denial comes amid rising diplomatic pressure from several African countries, following claims that incidents targeting migrants in South Africa are resurfacing.
Ghana has formally written to the African Union (AU), urging the continental body to urgently address what it described as a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans living in South Africa.
Nigeria has also expressed concern over the situation and has reportedly offered to repatriate its citizens, citing fears of possible attacks.
Other African nations, including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, have similarly issued advisories to their nationals in South Africa, urging caution amid growing unease.
The controversy was triggered by viral video clips shared online in recent weeks, allegedly showing vigilante groups confronting individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants. One widely circulated clip reportedly showed a Ghanaian being challenged over his immigration status and told to “go and fix his country.”
In response, South Africa’s government maintained that the country has nothing to hide and strongly rejected claims of xenophobic attacks.
Officials say the circulating content is deliberately designed to damage the country’s international reputation and fuel tensions between African nations.
While authorities acknowledge that foreigners in some cases have been affected by crime, they insist these incidents are not driven by xenophobia but by general criminal activity that affects all residents.
The government has also intensified diplomatic engagement across the continent in an effort to calm fears and counter what it describes as misinformation spreading online.
As the debate continues, the situation has highlighted ongoing sensitivities around migration, unemployment, and social tensions within South Africa, as well as the speed at which viral content can escalate diplomatic disputes.
