South Africa to Crack Down on Xenophobic Violence as Regional Tensions Rise

South Africa says it will crack down on xenophobic violence as regional backlash grows, with several African countries evacuating citizens and demanding accountability over attacks on migrants.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that the government will take action against groups behind xenophobic violence, as anti-immigrant protests continue to damage the country’s reputation.

Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique are repatriating citizens caught up in the unrest, which has at times turned violent. Mozambique reported that five of its nationals were killed.

Ramaphosa said authorities would not allow groups to exploit public concerns over illegal immigration for political, personal, or criminal gain. He warned against citizens taking immigration enforcement into their own hands, stressing that it is solely the responsibility of the state.

Xenophobic attacks remain a recurring issue in South Africa, where immigrants are often blamed for unemployment and crime. However, critics argue these claims are unfair and politically exploited.

The president said migrants are being scapegoated for deeper issues such as poverty and high unemployment. He added that the government is tightening immigration controls, reforming laws, and working with other countries to address the root causes of illegal migration. Plans also include special courts for immigration cases and upgrading identity documents to more secure biometric digital IDs.

Meanwhile, Ghana has petitioned the African Union over the treatment of its citizens in South Africa and is compiling a list of losses suffered during the attacks, potentially for future legal action.