PRETORIA — The federal government of South Africa has strongly condemned the circulation of what it termed “faux movies and pictures” allegedly portraying assaults on overseas nationals, as diplomatic tensions rise throughout a number of African states over considerations of xenophobic violence.
Authorities in Pretoria dismissed the web content material, stating that it was being misrepresented and misused to recommend a resurgence of xenophobic assaults within the nation.
The federal government maintained that it “has nothing to cover” and urged the general public and media to confirm info earlier than sharing it.
The controversy has triggered a wave of diplomatic reactions throughout the continent. The federal government of Ghana has formally written to the African Union requesting pressing dialogue of the matter, warning that the scenario poses a “severe threat to the security and wellbeing” of Africans dwelling in South Africa.
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In West Africa, Nigeria has additionally expressed concern and indicated it might repatriate its residents amid fears of potential assaults on overseas nationals.
In the meantime, governments in Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have issued advisories urging their residents residing in South Africa to stay vigilant and train warning.
The diplomatic friction follows the emergence of video clips shared on-line over the previous two weeks, which seem to point out vigilante teams confronting people they think of dwelling in South Africa illegally.
In a single extensively circulated clip, a person alleged to be Ghanaian is reportedly questioned about his immigration standing and advised to “go and repair your nation.”
South African authorities haven’t verified the authenticity of the movies, however insist that misinformation is inflaming tensions and distorting the nation’s safety scenario.
The African Union is predicted to be pressed additional by member states to deal with the allegations and coordinate a continental response to the rising considerations.
