ANC Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Xenophobia Amid Rising Migrant Violence in South Africa
On a visit to Maputo on Thursday, ANC Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula reminded Mozambican leaders of the historic solidarity that helped topple apartheid, while stressing that the African National Congress will not be linked to the recent surge of anti‑immigrant attacks in South Africa.
Historical Ties with Mozambique and Frelimo
Mbalula invoked the liberation‑era alliance between the ANC and Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo party, noting that Mozambican fighters died alongside ANC cadres when they refused to abandon the struggle against apartheid.
“We would never have been free if the world had not stood with us in the fight against apartheid,” Mbalula said, echoing a sentiment frequently cited by South African officials when addressing regional solidarity (Reuters, September 2024).
Government’s Five‑Point Plan and Diplomatic Outreach
Pretoria is responding to mounting pressure from African governments with a five‑point strategy designed to explain South Africa’s position and seek common solutions:
- Deploy diplomatic envoys to key African capitals and beyond.
- Host bilateral talks focused on migration management.
- Strengthen information‑sharing mechanisms on crime trends.
- Expand community‑based awareness campaigns against xenophobia.
- Review and streamline asylum and immigration processing procedures.
The plan was outlined by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation during a briefing on 12 September 2024 (DIRCO, September 2024).
Recent Incidents and Regional Repatriations
Earlier this month, South African police reported that two Mozambican nationals were killed during “violent unrest” in Mossel Bay, Western Cape (SAPS Statement, 3 September 2024). Mozambique’s government, however, asserted that five of its citizens died as a direct result of xenophobic attacks (Government of Mozambique, September 2024).
In parallel, Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have begun repatriating their citizens amid rising anti‑immigrant tensions, a move confirmed by each country’s foreign affairs ministries (Nigeria MFA, September 2024; Ghana MFA, September 2024; Malawi MFA, September 2024).
Legal Framework and International Obligations
Mbalula emphasized that South Africa’s response must remain within the bounds of domestic law and international commitments, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, to which the country is a signatory.
“As a signatory to the Geneva Convention, we have obligations that shape our response,” he stated, noting that the Department of Home Affairs is tasked with ensuring compliance with constitutional and human‑rights standards (DHA Compliance Report, 2024).
Civil Society Critique and Calls for Accountability
Human rights organisations argue that government measures have yet to tackle the root causes of xenophobic violence.
Sabina Taderera of the Secretariat for Southern Africa Network for Immigrants and Refugees (SANIRE) warned that calls for calm have failed to curb violence because perpetrators perceive a lack of consequences.
“We continue to see people being mistreated and violence spreading in areas that were previously calm because people have seen that they can do whatever they want with no other repercussion than media reprimand,” Taderera said (SANIRE Statement, September 2024).
She highlighted chronic administrative dysfunction, corruption, and decision‑making flaws within the Home Affairs system that have produced a substantial backlog of asylum and immigration applications, further marginalising foreigners (Human Rights Watch, September 2024).
Political analysts note that leaders sometimes deflect socioeconomic challenges onto foreign nationals, a tactic that fuels xenophobic sentiment and results in policies that expose migrants to life‑threatening dangers (ISS Policy Brief, September 2024).
Looking Forward
While the ANC’s reaffirmation of its anti‑xenophobia stance draws on a proud liberation history, experts agree that sustainable progress will require concrete reforms in immigration administration, accountability for perpetrators, and genuine engagement with affected communities.
Only through a combination of legal compliance, diplomatic outreach, and grassroots empowerment can South Africa honor its international obligations and protect the dignity of all residents, regardless of origin.
