The African Union’s human rights body has rejected claims that South Africa is inherently xenophobic or uniquely hostile towards foreigners, despite renewed anti-foreigner sentiment and attacks reported in the country this year.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) acknowledged the South African government’s efforts to address threats against foreign nationals but raised concerns about the limited accountability for individuals and groups involved in vigilantism, as well as those who finance such activities.
The commission also expressed concern over delays in investigating and prosecuting acts of violence that have resulted in deaths, injuries, property destruction and the loss of livelihoods.
Tensions between South Africa and other African countries intensified earlier this year following anti-immigrant protests targeting foreign nationals, prompting Nigeria and Ghana to condemn the incidents as “Afrophobia” and call for the issue to be discussed at an AU summit. The proposal, however, was not adopted.
Following a five-day mission to South Africa from September 28 to October 2, an ACHPR delegation led by Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso rejected suggestions that South Africa is inherently xenophobic, Afro-phobic or uniquely affected by such incidents.
The delegation also rejected “the recurrence in 2026 of similar incidents of xenophobic and Afro-phobic attacks of earlier years that particularly affected nationals of other African States in South Africa, taking the form of anti-immigrant protests and community mobilisation, incidents of violence, intimidation and discrimination resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and sources of livelihoods, separation of families, and displacement”.
The mission was conducted to assess the state of human and peoples’ rights in South Africa, including concerns over reported xenophobic and Afro-phobic violence and intimidation against foreign nationals, particularly citizens from other African countries.
During the visit, the delegation held meetings with government officials, including National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, heads of Chapter 9 institutions, civil society organisations, media representatives and other stakeholders involved in protecting human rights.
The team also visited the Emthonjeni Youth Centre, a detention facility for juvenile offenders, and the Lindela repatriation centre.
The commission commended the South African government for recognising human rights concerns arising from attacks and discrimination against foreign nationals. These included anti-foreigner protests, violence, intimidation and the emergence of vigilante groups claiming to enforce immigration laws or prevent suspected foreign nationals from accessing essential services.
It also praised the government for protecting and supporting people forced to flee their communities, as well as increasing proactive law enforcement ahead of a June 30 deadline issued by “vigilante actors”.
The delegation further welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recently adopted five-point migration plan, describing it as a comprehensive approach to managing migration.
However, it raised concerns over “instances of politicisation of the legitimate grievances of South Africans with respect to poor access to services and challenges to employment opportunities and operation of small businesses leading to the scapegoating of non-nationals, which in settings of informal settlements and marginalised neighbourhoods where nationals from other African States live in large numbers, trigger mobilisation and attacks”.
The commission also pointed to the emergence of what it described as seemingly financed and politicised vigilantism, involving individuals outside formal law enforcement who demand proof of nationality and allegedly block suspected non-nationals from accessing services, including healthcare and education.
According to the delegation, such actions undermine the rule of law.
The ACHPR urged the South African government to make respect for human rights, dignity and non-discrimination a separate pillar of its five-point migration plan. It also called for the South African Human Rights Commission to be involved in discussions and the design and implementation of measures by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration.
Ramaphosa unveiled the five-point migration plan in June as part of efforts to address irregular immigration, strengthen government systems and respond to public concerns, while warning against vigilantism and xenophobia.
The plan followed growing tensions, protests and community frustration linked to unemployment, poverty and concerns over irregular immigration in South Africa.
