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SA promises crackdown on xenophobic attacks after Ghana protests

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South African (SA) authorities promised on Friday to crack down on anyone carrying out xenophobic ​attacks on Ghanaians and other foreign nationals, ‌a day after Ghana protested over videos of violent incidents circulating on social media.

 

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto ​Ablakwa, summoned SA’s envoy on Thursday ​and called for an “intervention … to prevent further escalation”.

 

Campaigners ⁠for migrant rights say foreigners have been scapegoated in ​SA for its economic woes. Ablakwa expressed concern ​over an incident in SA’s KwaZulu-Natal province where a Ghanaian national was confronted, asked to provide proof of his ​legal status and told to leave and “fix his ​country”, his Ministry said on X.

 

SA’s Police Ministry said ‌in ⁠a statement that all those found participating in or inciting xenophobic acts would be identified, apprehended and brought before the courts. “Acts of lawlessness, intimidation and ​violence against ​migrant communities ⁠have no place in our constitutional democracy,” SA’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ronald ​Lamola, told a meeting of government officials.

 

Violence ​against ⁠migrants was a threat to SA’s constitutional order, Lamola added. The police asked community leaders and ⁠civil ​society groups to help prevent ​further attacks and promote dialogue.

 

–Reuters–

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