Ghanaian residents in South Africa, particularly in Mthatha, South Africa, have been urged to stay indoors today, Thursday, April 23, over an impending protest about the presence of foreign nationals.
Dr Yirenyi Gyekye Darko, the Chairman of the Ghanaian Community in Mthatha, made this known, urging Ghanaian residents in South Africa to stay indoors.
Reports suggest the planned demonstration is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and end around 11:00 a.m.
Local South Africans are protesting, arguing that foreigners are taking over employment opportunities meant for citizens.
Dr Yirenyi Gyekye Darko is quoted to have said, “I spoke to one of the station commanders, and he confirmed that there will be a peaceful demonstration. The police are taking precautionary measures to ensure everything remains under control”.
“We have asked our people to stay indoors and not open their shops until about midday, when the situation is expected to normalise,” he stated.
“The demonstrators are calling for priority to be given to South Africans. Their main concern is that foreigners have taken their jobs,” he added.
Meanwhile, another video has surfaced on social media with some South Africans sacking non-Citizens from a government hospital amid the xenophobic attacks by South Africans.
In the viral video, a man was heard saying, “If you know you’re not a South African citizen, may you please stand up and leave our hospital”.
The group of South Africans demanded that the doctors and nurses at the hospital discharge all foreigners who were receiving treatment, with a man instructing the doctors at the hospital “to stabilise and discharge” the patients to seek medical attention at private health facilities.
According to the South Africans in the viral video, foreigners are not allowed to seek medical attention in public hospitals.
In related news, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has broken his silence following a viral video of some South Africans confronting a Ghanaian man on the streets.
The Foreign Affairs Minister detailed that he held a telephone conversation with my South African counterpart, His Excellency Ronald Lamola, who has expressed his empathy with the victims and promised full-scale investigations.
According to Ablakwa, Ghana’s diplomatic mission has located the victim in the viral video and offered him consular assistance.
He further disclosed that no Ghanaian life has been lost, adding that the Mahama Administration remains uncompromising about the welfare and safety of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.
In a post shared on X, “I have this morning held a telephone conversation with my South African counterpart, His Excellency Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. I called him on the trending videos about Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The South African Foreign Minister has expressed his empathy with the victims and promised full-scale investigations into the depressing incidents.
The Government of South Africa is set to hold a briefing with African Ambassadors later today”.
He further added, “I am also able to confirm that since yesterday, I have been in constant contact with Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Quarshie, coordinating our response.
I am gladdened that so far, colleagues in our diplomatic mission have located the main victim in the viral video and are offering consular assistance. He is doing very well.
No Ghanaian life has been lost. We urge calm and confidence in our collective capacity to protect Ghanaians”.
Ablakwa further assured Ghanaians, saying, “ Let me assure compatriots that the Mahama Administration remains uncompromising about the welfare and safety of Ghanaians both at home and abroad. We are determined to guarantee the protection of all citizens.
May these regrettable incidents never quench our Pan-African love and solidarity for each other. The overwhelming majority of Africans are united and share an unbreakable bond — we shall not be divided by the hatred of a few fringe elements”.