South Africa's presidency accuses Nigeria, Ghana of 'fake news' on xenophobia; author refutes claims

South Africa's presidency has accused Nigeria and Ghana of spreading "fake news" and attempting to misrepresent the country on the international stage concerning xenophobic violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, issued a statement on July 15th making these allegations, which the author vehemently denies.

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spreading fake news and orchestrating an attempt to “misrepresent South Africa” and drag it before international institutions for formal sanctions.

The article counters Magwenya's claims by listing numerous past incidents of targeted violence against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, dating back to 1995. These events, characterized by the killing and displacement of African nationals, are presented as clear evidence of pervasive Afrophobia, not fabricated news.

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it is FALSE to allege that either country is spreading ‘fake news.’

Data from 2008 alone indicates that 62 African nationals were killed and tens of thousands displaced during attacks, which the author describes as incontrovertible facts. The current wave of violence is framed not as isolated incidents but as part of a cyclical pattern of Afrophobic hate that the South African government must acknowledge.

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I wonder whether Magwenya will also claim that the events of 1995, 1998, 2000, 2008, 2015, 2019 and 2024, each of which witnessed the targetting and cold-blooded murder of African nationals, including Nigerians, by wild, violent and spear-wielding black South African mobs, were also ‘fake news’ and not clear evidence of Afrophobia?

The article questions the South African government's stance, pointing to the June 30th deadline for African nationals to leave the country and Nigeria's substantial expenditure of over $2 million to repatriate 1,500 citizens. It also notes that 150,000 African nationals have been forced to flee their homes in South Africa over the past three months. The author argues that these actions are direct consequences of Afrophobia, challenging the presidency's assertion that it does not exist.

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In 2008 alone, 62 African nationals were killed and tens of thousands displaced during the attacks and this is not a misrepresentation but an incontrovertible fact!