Two Ghanaian nationals have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary investigation into attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, arguing the violence could amount to crimes against humanity.
South Africa has seen a wave of anti-immigrant protests in recent months, with some turning violent as demonstrators blame foreigners for crime and unemployment. Several African migrants have been killed, others beaten, and homes and shops looted, prompting tens of thousands to flee the country.
The petition, submitted to the court on July 15 and seen by Reuters, alleges a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” on migrants and accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent or punish the crimes, including murder.
South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry dismissed the petition as opportunistic. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the country’s domestic legal framework already provides strong safeguards against discrimination of any kind.
The petition was filed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst. In a press release, they said African migrants have for years been “killed, beaten, and driven from their homes” in South Africa, and that the scale and recurrence of the violence raise serious doubts about the state’s willingness to prevent, investigate and prosecute the crimes.
Ramaphosa’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has previously condemned the attacks and cautioned against blaming immigrants for the country’s deeper problems. The ICC also did not immediately respond.
South Africa has faced recurring bouts of xenophobic violence for years, even though migrants make up only about 5% of its population — low by international standards.
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