The government of South Africa says it is ready to cooperate with any process initiated by the African Union concerning allegations of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals following Ghana’s decision to escalate the matter to the continental body.
Speaking after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, stated that the government has nothing to conceal and would present its version of events if the African Union formally places the issue on its agenda.
“Our position is that we have nothing to hide as a South African government. We will provide — if the AU decides to put the matter on the agenda — the report, including the facts related to the matter,” she said during a media briefing.
Ntshavheni maintained that available facts would demonstrate that there are no xenophobic attacks occurring in South Africa, although she acknowledged incidents involving attacks on foreign nationals and stressed the need for security agencies to act firmly against criminal conduct.
Her comments follow Ghana’s formal petition to the African Union over recurring violence and threats targeting African migrants residing in South Africa.
In a letter dated May 6, 2026, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, urged the AU Commission to treat the matter as one requiring urgent continental attention, citing deaths, destruction of businesses and growing insecurity among foreign nationals.
Ghana is seeking to have the issue discussed during the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union scheduled to take place from June 24 to 27 in El Alamein.
The diplomatic intervention comes amid heightened fears among Ghanaian communities in South Africa following renewed anti-immigrant protests in parts of the country.
On April 28, 2026, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa issued a public advisory urging Ghanaians to exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations were expected to occur.
Some Ghanaian shop owners were also advised to temporarily shut down their businesses over fears of looting and possible attacks.
In his petition, Ablakwa noted that although Ghana recognises South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, attacks targeting African migrants undermine the principles of African unity, solidarity and cooperation promoted by the African Union.
