The government of South Africa has condemned the spread of “fake videos and images”, which some have described as recordings of attacks on foreign nationals in the country.
The call comes as diplomatic tensions rise between South Africa and other African countries over allegations that xenophobic violence is once again on the rise in the country.
The government of Ghana has written to the African Union (AU) asking the continental body to discuss the issue, which it says poses a “serious threat to the security and well-being” of Africans in South Africa.
Nigeria has also raised the issue and offered to repatriate its citizens amid fears of attacks.
Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have also warned their citizens in South Africa to be alert to possible attacks.
South Africa responded to Ghana's message, saying it had “nothing to hide”.
The wave of pressure was sparked after video clips were shared online a fortnight ago, showing vigilante groups harassing people they believed were in South Africa illegally. In one, it was reported that a Ghanaian man was challenged about his situation and told to go and “fix his country”.
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.
BBC