Ghanaian in South Africa Accosted Amid Dangerous Anti-Immigrant Protests: “We Don't Want You Here”
- A Ghanaian man faced anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa and was accosted in a video that has gone viral
- The protesters accused him of having a questionable passport document from corrupt officials
- Nigeria recently warned its citizens in South Africa to exercise caution amid rising anti-immigrant tensions
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A Ghanaian resident in South Africa was seen being accosted amid anti-illegal immigration protests in parts of the country.
In the video, one of the South Africans, a woman, told him they would no longer tolerate foreigners from other African countries.
Source: Getty Images
The video, shared on Facebook, showed her saying Africans must learn to stay in their countries and fix their issues.
"We are tired of seeing African migrants moving all over the world, refusing to fix your own countries. Now we are making it very clear to you guys, we don't want you here. We want you to fix your countries."
The group then asked the Ghanaian man to show them his passport, which led to him pulling out a document.
The group then asked the Ghanaian man to show them his passport, which led to him pulling out a document.
After he showed them the document, which was a "certified copy" of his passport, they accused him of buying it (the document) from a corrupt South African official.
The BBC reported that Nigeria's high commission in South Africa urged its citizens there to be cautious following an anti-illegal immigration protest in Eastern Cape province that turned violent.
The recognition of an Igbo traditional leader in South Africa sparked the protests.
South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, which is less than 4% of the population, according to official figures. However, many more are thought to be in the country unofficially.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa which has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly violence, and anti-migrant sentiment has become a key political talking-point.
Ablakwa engages minister in South Africa
The man, who remains unidentified, is said to be safe and unharmed, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
In a statement on Facebook, the minister said he had also spoken to the South African government about the tensions.
Source: Facebook
"I have this morning held a telephone conversation with my South African counterpart, His Excellency Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. I called him on the trending videos about Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa."
"I am also able to confirm that since yesterday, I have been in constant contact with Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Quarshie, coordinating our response. I am gladdened that so far colleagues in our diplomatic mission have located the main victim in the viral video and are offering consular assistance. He is doing very well. "
Mahama defends South African president
YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama previously criticised US President Trump over false claims of a genocide of white people in South Africa as well as land seizures. Mahama held that such comments were an insult to Africans
In an editorial in The Guardian, Mahama also said Trump’s 2025 ambushing of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over claims of racial persecution was unfounded and insulting.
Source: YEN.com.gh
