Growing tensions around illegal immigration and anti-foreigner protests have prompted an urgent high-level government intervention, with ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster set to convene a crucial meeting at the Union Buildings on Monday.
The meeting comes amid mounting protests, community marches, and increasing public pressure over illegal immigration, as the government faces calls to tighten enforcement while preventing further social unrest and xenophobic violence.
All ministers within the security cluster, together with senior national security officials, are expected to attend the closed-door discussions aimed at addressing both immigration-related concerns and rising tensions in communities across the country.
The government said the meeting will focus on finalising a national framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, while also developing coordinated responses to illegal immigration and broader social cohesion challenges.
The ministers are also expected to engage political parties, civic organisations and protest groups that have been involved in demonstrations against illegal foreign nationals in various parts of South Africa.
The engagements are expected to focus on establishing rules around protests and public demonstrations while also outlining the government's approach to dealing with illegal immigration.
Previously, The Star reported that growing fears among foreign nationals have already triggered voluntary repatriation efforts, particularly within the Ghanaian community in South Africa. Hundreds of Ghanaians gathered at the Ghanaian embassy in Pretoria for screening and verification processes after signing up to return home amid escalating anti-immigration protests across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, confirmed that more than 800 Ghanaian nationals had volunteered to leave the country, with the first group expected to depart this week. Quashie said while most Ghanaians in South Africa are lawfully residing in the country, the climate of fear and intimidation has pushed many to consider returning home. Some Ghanaian nationals also alleged they had been attacked, assaulted, or subjected to intimidation during recent protests and raids in communities.
The urgent intervention comes as concerns continue to grow over tensions involving locals and foreign nationals, with some claims circulating on social media alleging attacks and killings targeting migrants in South Africa.
However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has pushed back strongly against claims that Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals are being systematically killed in the country.
Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said there was no credible evidence supporting the allegations.
“Initially, there were rumours that Ghanaians have been killed. There’s no official record of any Ghanaians being killed. We’ve also seen the same thing purportedly said by the Nigerians, that Nigerians are being killed in South Africa, traditional extrajudicial killings. Nothing of the sort has emerged in the way of evidence,” said Phiri.
He urged caution against inflaming tensions through misinformation.
“So, we’ve really called upon them; let’s not be alarmist in dealing with this issue. Let’s look at it respectfully,” he said.
Phiri added that any foreign nationals wishing to leave South Africa voluntarily would be allowed to do so.
“Secondly, if people want to repatriate their citizens and the citizens want to leave the country, they are most welcome,” he added.
The Star
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