The South African Police Service has warned that persons found participating in, inciting or supporting xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other foreign nationals will be arrested and prosecuted, as authorities move to contain rising anti-migrant tensions.
The warning comes amid heightened attacks and intimidation reportedly led by vigilante-style groups targeting migrants, including attempts to block access to health care and disrupt migrant-owned businesses.
Among the incidents drawing attention is the widely circulated confrontation involving Ghanaian national Emmanuel Owusu, who was accosted by anti-migrant agitators and ordered to return to Ghana, a development that has triggered diplomatic concern.
In a strongly worded statement, South African authorities said law enforcement had been directed to respond firmly to any acts of vigilantism.
“The South African Police Service has been instructed to act decisively and without hesitation in addressing these incidents. All those found to be participating in, inciting, or supporting such criminal conduct will be identified, apprehended and brought before the courts,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Police condemned the attacks as unlawful and contrary to the values underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy, stressing that no group has the authority to take the law into its own hands regardless of grievances.
The statement comes as affected countries intensify diplomatic engagement over the safety of their nationals, with governments including Ghana pursuing protective and diplomatic measures amid the ongoing tensions.
The tougher stance also follows growing calls for firmer law enforcement action in response to recurring anti-migrant vigilantism and pressure on authorities to reassure migrant communities and prevent further escalation.
Xenophobic violence has remained a recurring challenge in South Africa, with major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 resulting in deaths, displacement and damage to foreign-owned businesses, while exposing tensions around migration, unemployment and inequality.
Recent data underscores how deeply rooted some of these sentiments remain. A survey by the Inclusive Society Institute found that 73 percent of South Africans said they do not trust African immigrants “at all” or “not very much,” reflecting how misinformation, populist rhetoric and vigilante mobilization continue to shape anti-migrant sentiment.
The resurgence of attacks have been linked to worsening economic pressures, anti-immigrant rhetoric and misinformation that often scapegoat foreign nationals for domestic socio-economic frustrations. Recent sentiment studies have also pointed to persistent distrust toward African migrants among sections of the population, reinforcing concerns about the deeper drivers of xenophobic hostility.
For many observers, the police warning signals a significant attempt by the South African state to assert control, restore confidence and prevent fringe anti-migrant groups from escalating tensions that have repeatedly tested the country’s social fabric and relations with fellow African states.
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