Ghana contacts South Africa over anti-immigrant violence in KwaZulu-Natal

Foreign minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa spoke with his counterpart after videos showed assaults in Durban protests.

Ghana's foreign affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said he contacted South Africa's international relations minister Ronald Lamola to express concern over the safety of Ghanaians after recent anti-immigrant protests in Durban turned violent.¹²

Ablakwa said he raised the matter after videos circulated on social media showing locals assaulting individuals they accused of being illegal immigrants during protests led by groups including the March and March Movement.¹ "I called him regarding the trending videos showing Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa," Ablakwa said.¹

Lamola expressed empathy with victims and promised full-scale investigations into the incidents, according to Ablakwa.¹² South Africa's government was scheduled to hold a briefing with African ambassadors to address the situation.¹²

Ablakwa said he remained in constant contact with Ghana's high commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, to coordinate a diplomatic response.¹² The minister stated that diplomatic staff had located the main victim visible in viral videos and were offering consular assistance.² "He is doing very well," Ablakwa said.²

No Ghanaian lives had been lost, Ablakwa disclosed.² He added that President John Mahama's administration remained uncompromising regarding the welfare and safety of Ghanaians at home and abroad.¹

South African police warned against lawlessness, saying only mandated law enforcement officials have legal authority to stop or detain undocumented individuals.¹