The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) first signaled the government’s concerns through spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, who said authorities would engage the WHO to correct what it viewed as misleading portrayals of fatalities linked to the country’s escalating immigration tensions.
The move followed comments by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said at least five Ethiopian and five Mozambican nationals had been killed, while thousands more were displaced amid anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
Phiri disputed the characterization of the deaths involving Ethiopian nationals, saying available information indicated that the incidents stemmed from organized crime rather than xenophobic violence.
“These incidents are under active investigation by law enforcement,” Phiri said, adding that the South African Police Service was also investigating the cases involving Mozambican nationals.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Presidency reinforced Dirco’s position and announced that South Africa would formally engage the WHO to ensure that information before the organization was “accurate and reliable.”
Government pushes back on xenophobia narrative
“Most notably, the WHO’s characterization of the deaths of the Ethiopian nationals is, unfortunately, incorrect,” the Presidency said, adding that the incidents fell within the realm of organized crime and were already the subject of ongoing investigations.
The Presidency also confirmed that the cases involving Mozambican nationals remain under active investigation by the South African Police Service.
While expressing condolences to affected families, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration stressed that only duly authorized law enforcement officials have the mandate to enforce immigration laws, reiterating its opposition to vigilante action.
The dispute comes against a backdrop of growing tensions over migration in South Africa, where concerns about unemployment, pressure on public services, and competition for economic opportunities have fueled anti-foreigner sentiment in some communities.
The United Nations has acknowledged these socioeconomic pressures while warning that responses must remain lawful and grounded in human rights.
Tedros, who is Ethiopian, described the reported violence as a betrayal of South Africa’s liberation legacy, noting the support provided by several African countries, including Ethiopia, during the anti-apartheid struggle.
The WHO has pledged continued support for social cohesion initiatives, improved service delivery, and efforts to combat misinformation, while expanding engagement with provincial and local authorities in hotspots including KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
