International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned violence against foreign nationals, calling it a “blight on our democracy” and warning against misinformation linked to anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.
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International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has warned that violence against foreign nationals in South Africa is a “blight on our democracy” and a betrayal of constitutional values.
He also cautioned against misinformation and what he described as the rapid spread of “fake news” around incidents linked to anti-immigration sentiment.
Speaking during his opening address at the 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region on Tuesday, Lamola said there was a need to distinguish between verified facts and unverified claims circulating on social media and other platforms.
“Let me state this unequivocally: There is no excuse for violence against foreign nationals in our society. Violence directed at migrants and refugees is a blight on our democracy and a betrayal of our Constitution’s promise of dignity, equality, and fundamental human rights for all,'' Lamola said.
“The intimidation of migrants, looting of businesses and destruction of property are reprehensible acts of vigilantism. They threaten our democracy and risk tearing apart our relationship with the continent and the world,” Lamola said.
He said such actions did not reflect government policy and reiterated that immigration enforcement remained the responsibility of the state alone, warning that no individual or organisation had the authority to carry out unlawful removals or intimidation of foreign nationals.
Lamola also warned against the spread of misinformation surrounding recent incidents linked to anti-immigration protests.
“We must separate facts from fake news as we deal with the protest in South Africa. We warn of the rapid spread of misinformation through social media and sometimes through official channels, not verifying information,” he said.
His remarks come after the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned what he described as a “tragic betrayal of the country’s historic struggle for freedom and justice”, following reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Ghebreyesus said he was deeply saddened by reports of renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals, which he said had left several people dead, displaced thousands of families and forced others to flee.
“It is profoundly heartbreaking to witness another surge of xenophobic violence in South Africa this week. Hundreds have marched on Parliament, thousands of families have been displaced, and lives have been tragically cut short.
“These include at least five Ethiopians killed earlier in the attacks, and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay. Thousands more are now fleeing for their lives,” Ghebreyesus said.
However, Lamola said government had verified that some of the claims circulating publicly were inaccurate, stressing the importance of relying on confirmed police information.
“During the current wave of violent anti-immigration protests, unfortunately, two Mozambican nationals were killed in Mossel Bay, and the South African government has condemned the incident in the strongest terms.
''The police are investigating these cases. No other foreign national was killed as it has been widely reported,” he said.
Lamola further stated that reports suggesting the deaths of Ethiopian, Nigerian or Ghanaian nationals were not supported by verified police information.
“No Nigerian national or Ghanaian national has been killed according to the verified information of the South African Police Service, and again, no Ethiopian national has been killed,” he said.
He added that the deaths of five Ethiopian nationals currently under investigation were believed to be linked to gang violence, not xenophobic attacks.
“Instead, according to the South African Police, they’re investigating a possibility of gang violence in relation to the death of the five Ethiopian nationals. In other words, gang violence and intra-rivalry for trade amongst the Ethiopian nationals. We will hear the real motive upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.
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