Fake videos aim to destabilise South Africa – Ntshavheni

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Cape Town – Cabinet has condemned the circulation of fake videos and images falsely claiming to show attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, warning that the content is damaging the country’s international reputation amid ongoing protests over illegal immigration.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the misinformation campaign was aimed at undermining South Africa and its continental agenda.

“The fake videos and images… are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine South Africa’s pursuit of a better Africa agenda,” Ntshavheni said.

Her remarks come as demonstrations against undocumented immigrants continue in several major cities across the country.

Ntshavheni said while South Africans had the right to protest against illegal immigration, violence and attacks on foreign nationals could not be tolerated.

“South Africans are within their right to protest against the spiralling illegal immigration challenge, but violence linked to those protests in the past is not acceptable and law enforcement must deal with the instigators of such violence,” she said.

Cabinet also condemned what it described as attempts to exploit public frustrations around unemployment and economic hardship.

Ntshavheni said Cabinet rejected “the opportunistic attempts to hijack the genuine concerns of South Africans about high unemployment and limited economic opportunities by mobilising South Africans to destabilise the country, including mobilising attacks on foreign nationals and tribal mobilisation”.

Government said efforts to tackle illegal immigration were ongoing through strengthened border management measures led by the Border Management Agency, faster deportation processes and action against criminal activities within migrant communities.

Cabinet has also instructed the Department of Employment and Labour to intensify workplace inspections in sectors considered vulnerable to labour law violations, including hospitality, farming, trucking and construction.

Municipalities have meanwhile been directed to enforce trading by-laws more strictly.

“South Africans must also play their part by refraining from sub-leasing their business licences,” Ntshavheni added.

She said proposed reforms in the Revised White Paper on Immigration would seek to tighten immigration controls, including relocating refugee reception centres closer to borders and allowing certain trades and businesses to be reserved for South Africans and recognised refugees.

Article written by