South Africa: South Africa Dismisses Ghanaian Petition to ICC Over Migrant Violence

What the report says

AllAfrica reported on 24 July 2026 that South Africa has rejected a petition lodged at the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaian nationals who want prosecutors to examine attacks on foreign migrants in the country. The filing, submitted to the Hague-based court, argues that the violence may constitute crimes against humanity and alleges that the South African state has not done enough to prevent attacks or hold perpetrators accountable.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, known as DIRCO, dismissed the move as “opportunistic.” DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the filing did not meet the legal thresholds or jurisdictional conditions needed for ICC action, and said South Africa has confidence in its own courts and legal institutions. The government also rejected accusations of xenophobia and said it remains committed to the rule of law.

The issue has drawn wider regional attention. AllAfrica reported that several African governments and the West African bloc Ecowas have condemned the attacks. DIRCO said Pretoria remains willing to engage Ecowas on migration management and regional stability, while also calling for broader African Union discussion on the factors driving migration across the continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged domestic concerns about migration but has condemned violence against migrants and warned citizens not to take the law into their own hands. According to figures cited from repatriating governments, more than 160,000 foreign nationals are estimated to have left South Africa in the past two months, with Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Ghana among countries arranging transport for returnees.