Two Ghanaian nationals, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah and Emmanuel Kotin, have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary investigation into attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, arguing that the violence could amount to crimes against humanity.
The petition, submitted to the ICC on July 15 and seen by Reuters, alleges a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” targeting migrants in South Africa. It further accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent or punish crimes committed against foreign nationals, including murder.
Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst, say the repeated attacks on migrants warrant international scrutiny.
In a joint press release, the petitioners said: “For years, African brothers and sisters have been killed, beaten, and driven from their homes in South Africa.”
They added: “While we commend individuals in South Africa who have condemned these acts, the pattern, scale, and recurrence of the violence raise serious questions about the failure of state authorities to prevent, investigate, and punish these crimes.”
South Africa has experienced a surge in anti-immigrant protests in recent months, with demonstrators blaming foreign nationals for challenges such as crime and unemployment. Some of the protests have turned violent, resulting in attacks on migrants.
Several African migrants have reportedly been killed, while others have been assaulted and seen their homes and businesses looted. The violence has also forced tens of thousands of people to flee the country.
Responding to the petition, South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Ministry dismissed the move as opportunistic.
Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa has “a sophisticated domestic legal framework,” adding that its laws provide comprehensive safeguards and enforcement measures against discrimination, including intolerance based on social origin.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, the South African leader has previously condemned attacks on foreign nationals and warned against blaming immigrants for the country’s deep-rooted socio-economic challenges.
The ICC, which prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
