New fears of xenophobic violence are spreading across South Africa after a series of viral videos showing hostility toward African migrants triggered concern among Nigerians and other foreign communities living in the country.
The clips, widely shared on social media, appear to show confrontations between South Africans and African migrants, with some individuals openly demanding that foreigners leave the country amid growing frustration over unemployment and economic hardship.
In one widely circulated video, a woman is seen engaging in a tense exchange with a Ghanaian national, insisting that African migrants are no longer welcome in South Africa. She blamed cross-border migration for worsening local social and economic pressures.
“We don’t want these African people anymore. We want you to fix your countries. We don’t want you here,” she said, in remarks that quickly sparked outrage online and reignited concerns about xenophobic sentiment in the country.
Another clip shows a man aggressively questioning a Ghanaian man over immigration documents, accusing him of fraud and warning that foreign nationals risk being targeted if they remain in the country.
A separate video also appears to show an individual believed to be Ghanaian being physically assaulted, while another recording captures a South African man criticising migrants for “living comfortably” while locals struggle with hardship.
The incidents have heightened anxiety within migrant communities, particularly ahead of a planned protest in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, where residents are expected to demonstrate over unemployment concerns and the presence of foreign nationals.
Authorities have not yet issued a detailed public response to the planned protest, but diplomatic engagement has already begun between Ghana and South Africa following the circulation of the videos.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the footage as disturbing and confirmed he had spoken with South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, over the matter.
Ablakwa said South African authorities had pledged to investigate the incidents and expressed concern over the treatment of foreign nationals captured in the videos.
He also confirmed that Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa had located the victim seen in one of the viral clips, adding that the individual was safe and receiving consular support.
Within migrant communities, however, unease remains high. Leaders have warned that the situation is not limited to Ghanaians alone, with Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and other African nationals also feeling vulnerable.
Chairman of the Ghanaian community in Mthatha, Yirenyi Darko, said migrants were relying on caution and faith for protection, noting that tensions vary across regions but remain worrying overall.
The renewed tension has once again highlighted South Africa’s long-running struggles with xenophobic outbreaks, often linked to unemployment, crime, and economic pressure that have periodically been directed at foreign nationals.
With social media amplifying the latest incidents, concerns are growing that failure to contain the situation could deepen diplomatic strain across the continent.
