The South African Presidency has warned against the spread of misinformation regarding the country’s immigration challenges following a recent statement by the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning violence against foreign nationals.
The warning follows a condemnation by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus regarding renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals, which reportedly left several people dead. The casualties include at least five Ethiopian nationals and five Mozambican nationals who died in Mossel Bay.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Presidency announced that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will engage with the WHO to ensure the information they possess is accurate and reliable. These engagements will detail how the South African government is addressing the complex matter.
The Presidency explicitly disputed the WHO’s characterization of the deaths of the Ethiopian nationals, calling it “incorrect.” According to the statement, the events leading to the deaths of the Ethiopian nationals fall within the realm of organized crime, as previously reported, and are being actively investigated by law enforcement agencies.
Regarding the deaths of the Mozambican nationals, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the matter remains under active investigation.
Reaffirming the government’s official position, the Presidency stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration have been unequivocal: only duly authorized law enforcement officials have the mandate to enforce the law.
The Presidency expressed deep regret over the tragic loss of life in the recent incidents, emphasizing that “one life lost is one too many,” and extended its deepest sympathies to the affected families and communities.