South Africa has cautioned Ghana over the manner in which the ongoing evacuation of Ghanaian nationals is being publicly presented, warning that it will not tolerate what it described as “public spectacles” surrounding the repatriation exercise.
The warning comes amid the evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaians from South Africa following a recent wave of anti-immigrant protests and violence that have heightened concerns among foreign communities in the country.
The Ghanaian government began organising repatriation flights last month to assist citizens who wished to return home amid growing fears over their safety. The latest evacuation flight was marked by a video shared by Ghana’s embassy in South Africa, showing evacuees waving Ghanaian flags aboard the aircraft before departure.
Reacting to a video containing comments by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, expressed dissatisfaction with the public narrative surrounding the evacuation process.
“Our initial hope was simply to assist the Government of Ghana in repatriating its citizens in a humane and cordial manner,” Lamola wrote on X.
“However, we will not continue to tolerate… public spectacles, characterised by incomplete information and outright misinformation devoid of any diplomatic decorum.”
South Africa remains one of Africa’s leading destinations for migrant workers, attracting both documented and undocumented migrants from across the continent due to its relatively advanced economy.
However, persistent economic challenges, including an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, have contributed to recurring outbreaks of xenophobic sentiment and violence over the years. The country has witnessed renewed anti-immigrant protests in recent weeks, prompting concerns among foreign nationals.
Public outrage intensified after a video allegedly showing the assault of a Ghanaian man circulated widely on social media, further fuelling fears within the Ghanaian community and adding urgency to the evacuation efforts.
The repatriation exercise forms part of Ghana’s response to the deteriorating situation, with several flights already completed and additional evacuations expected.
