But briefing the media after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Presidential Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavweni, without specifying which footage she was talking about, said that “the fake videos and images are not only fake, but they are intended to undermine South Africa's good reputation internationally and undermine the country's quest for a better Africa agenda”.
Thousands of South Africans have been protesting against illegal immigration in major cities in recent days, and demanding mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals.
Protesters have said illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime.
Referring to the protests, Ntshavweni said South Africans had the right to protest against “the growing illegal immigration challenge”, but added that the violence associated with previous protests was unacceptable.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, sometimes resulting in deadly attacks. But the current protests have been largely peaceful, with no official reports of looting of foreign-owned stores or violence against undocumented immigrants.
South Africa's government is stepping up diplomatic efforts to ease growing concern on the continent about rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country.
In its letter to the AU, Ghana said what it calls xenophobia in South Africa “poses a challenge to the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood and continental unity”. He wants a fact-finding mission to be sent to the country.
On Wednesday, Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential spokesperson said he had stressed that “South Africa is a welcoming country. South Africans are open, friendly and warm people. And we will reject any perception that tries to portray this country or its people as xenophobic.”
Referring to Ghana's letter on Thursday, Ntshavweni reiterated the president's point that “there were no xenophobic attacks in South Africa”.
He acknowledged that foreigners had been victims, but dismissed it as normal criminality that the police had to deal with and efforts to weaken the country.