South Africa has dismissed a petition filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by two Ghanaian nationals alleging widespread and systematic attacks against migrants in the country. The South African government stated that it remains "steadfast in maintaining the rule of law" and will ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable.
The petition, filed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson, and Emmanuel Kotin, a security analyst, argues that the violence against migrants could amount to crimes against humanity. They cite a pattern of attacks, beatings, and forced displacement, questioning the state authorities' failure to prevent, investigate, and punish these crimes.
Responding to the petition, South Africa's foreign ministry reiterated the country's commitment to rejecting "xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations." The ministry emphasized that respecting the dignity of everyone within its borders is both a constitutional and moral duty. The government also called for broader African Union discussions on the root causes of migration across the continent.
Recent weeks have seen an increase in foreign nationals leaving South Africa, with other countries organizing flights and buses for their citizens. Some anti-migrant groups had set a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, leading many foreigners to flee escalating violence and intimidation. The South African government reports that over 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or voluntarily repatriated. However, figures from migrants' home governments suggest more than 160,000 people have departed South Africa in the past two months.
Protesters have voiced demands for stricter border controls and mass deportations, attributing high unemployment, rising crime rates, and the collapse of public services to migrants. The United Nations has cautioned against using migrants as scapegoats for South Africa's socioeconomic challenges.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns about migration but has also condemned attacks against migrants, warning citizens against vigilantism. The ICC has not yet commented on whether it will review the petition.