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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

South African minister disputes xenophobia narrative, urges citizens against profiling foreigners

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Africa's Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi refuted claims of inherent xenophobia in the country.
  • She stated South Africa remains a welcoming host to diverse global populations despite migration challenges.
  • Kubayi urged citizens to reject vigilantism, misinformation, and partner with law enforcement instead of resorting to mob justice.

South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has strongly refuted the notion that the country is inherently xenophobic. Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration briefing, Kubayi asserted that South Africa continues to be a welcoming nation for people from diverse backgrounds globally, despite facing domestic migration challenges.

South Africa has historically welcomed and continues to host people from diverse countries across the globe.

— Mmamoloko KubayiMinister Kubayi's statement refuting claims of systemic xenophobia in South Africa.

"South Africa has historically welcomed and continues to host people from diverse countries across the globe," Kubayi stated, emphasizing the country's commitment to maintaining its image as an open host. She cautioned citizens against engaging in targeted operations or street violence against foreign nationals. Kubayi urged communities to disregard rumors circulating on social media and instead collaborate with law enforcement agencies, warning against vigilantism and mob justice.

"We call on all South Africans to reject the act of vigilantism, dismiss the noise of misinformation, and partner with government as we restore stability to our neighbourhoods," Kubayi urged, adding, "Not everybody who comes from outside South Africa is illegal in our country."

We call on all South Africans to reject the act of vigilantism, dismiss the noise of misinformation, and partner with government as we restore stability to our neighbourhoods.

— Mmamoloko KubayiMinister Kubayi's plea to citizens to work with authorities rather than resorting to mob justice.

Kubayi acknowledged the negative impact such incidents have on the country's brand and social cohesion. She stressed that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, the government will not tolerate lawlessness. "We must, however, remind ourselves that constitutional rights are accompanied by obligations and responsibilities. One of these is peaceful protest and avoidance of violence and lawlessness in exercising these rights," she noted, highlighting the need for protests to be conducted peacefully.

Not everybody who comes from outside South Africa is illegal in our country.

— Mmamoloko KubayiMinister Kubayi's clarification regarding the status of foreign nationals in South Africa.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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