The South African government says it is ready to cooperate with any African Union process investigating allegations of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, following Ghana's decision to take the matter to the continental body.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni said South Africa had nothing to hide and would provide its version of events if the African Union decided to formally place the issue on its agenda.
“Our position is that as the South African government we have nothing to hide. If the AU decides to put the matter on the agenda we will provide a report including the facts related to the matter,” he said at a media briefing after Thursday's cabinet meeting.
Ntshaveni argued that the facts would show that there have been no xenophobic attacks in South Africa, although he acknowledged incidents involving attacks on foreign nationals and stressed that security agencies must act decisively against criminal behaviour.
His comments come days after Ghana formally petitioned the African Union over repeated violence and threats targeting African expatriates living in South Africa.
In a letter dated May 6, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urged the AU Commission to treat the matter as a matter of urgent continental concern, citing deaths, destruction of businesses and increasing insecurity among foreign nationals.
Ghana wants the issue to be discussed at the AU's eighth mid-year coordination meeting to be held in El Alamein from 24 to 27 June.
The diplomatic move follows heightened fears among Ghanaian communities in South Africa following the resumption of anti-immigrant protests in some parts of the country.
On April 28, 2026, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa issued a public advisory urging Ghanaians to exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations were expected to take place.
Some Ghanaian shop owners were also advised to temporarily close their businesses due to fear of looting and attacks.
Ablakwa said in his petition that Ghana recognizes South Africa's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, but attacks on African migrants undermine the spirit of African unity and cooperation espoused by the African Union.
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