Rabat – Ongoing anti-migrant violence continues against Africans in South Africa, with human rights groups urging for action and a swift response to mitigate the alarming crisis.
Videos have been documenting physical assaults, violence, and human rights degradation in South Africa, with locals attacking migrants.
Videos show apparent anti-immigrant attacks, in addition to heinous protests demanding government action on both undocumented and legal immigrants.
Countries like Ghana have issued warnings to their citizens to exercise heightened vigilance amid anti-illegal immigration marches and protests.
Ghana’s high commission advised its nationals to close their business and keep a “low profile” amid the ongoing violence.
The head of the Nigerian Union of South Africa also advised members to remain indoors.
Read also: South Africa Faces Scrutiny Over Xenophobic Violence Against African Migrants
The South African government has responded to recent attacks, but observers viewed its reactions as light and without impact.
In his Freedom Day speech on April 27, President Cyril Ramaphosa recalled how support from other African countries played an essential role in the ANC’s struggle against apartheid.
However, violent protestors continued to condemn what they described as the “influx of illegal migrants,” forcing African migrants to close their shops.
According to Democracy Now, human rights groups continue to raise alarm amid violence against African migrants.
“Immigrants say they’re living in constant fear, reporting assaults, violent harassment on the streets and disruptions to their businesses by xenophobic groups,” the report said.
The website emphasized calls from international groups, appealing for action from the South African government to address the rising threats against immigrants following the reported killing of two nationals from Nigeria.
Crux Now also reported a Bishop’s plea against violence targeting migrants.
The report quoted bishop Joseph Kizito of Aliwal in South Africa, who said the narrative that migrants are stealing jobs is dangerous.
Such claims are a distraction from the root causes of the crisis, Bishop Kizito stressed.
