South Africa condemns 'fake videos' of alleged xenophobic attacks

South Africa's government has condemned the circulation of what it called "fake videos and images" that have been described by some as recordings of attacks on foreign nationals in the country.

This condemnation follows increased diplomatic tension between South Africa and other African nations due to accusations of rising xenophobic violence. Ghana's government has written to the African Union (AU) asking the continental body to discuss the issue, which it says is a "serious risk to the safety and wellbeing" of Africans in South Africa. Nigeria has also raised the issue and offered to repatriate its nationals amid fears of attacks. Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have warned their citizens in South Africa to be aware of possible attacks. South Africa responded to Ghana's message saying that it "had nothing to hide". Video clips shared online over a fortnight ago appeared to show vigilante groups harassing people they believed were in South Africa illegally. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that "the fake videos and images are not only fake, but they are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine the country's pursuit of a better Africa agenda". Thousands of South Africans have been protesting against illegal immigration in major cities in recent days, demanding the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.

Referring to Ghana's letter on Thursday, Ntshavheni echoed the president, saying that there were "no xenophobic attacks in South Africa". She acknowledged that foreigners had been victims but put this down to general criminality, which the police needed to deal with, and efforts to undermine the country. In its letter to the AU, Ghana said that what it called xenophobia in South Africa "presents a challenge to the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood, and continental unity" and wants