Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF) chief Julius Malema has questioned the timing and method of Ghana’s response to current tensions involving Ghanaians in South Africa, arguing that there’s a danger of additional escalating an already delicate state of affairs.
Malema informed reporters that Ghana’s response was “not needed at the moment”, warning that it might create destructive perceptions and deepen divisions.
“Ghana’s response was not needed. It’s now making a notion that we’re all like that,” he stated, warning that such discourse might unfairly prejudice sections of society and complicate regulation enforcement efforts.
He famous that though feelings have been operating excessive, it might have been higher to deal with the state of affairs diplomatically to provide South African authorities extra leeway to handle developments on the bottom.
“We do not suppose Ghana has responded in a method that actually forces dialogue and diplomatic engagement. It is truly created a really unhealthy, excessive state of affairs.”
Malema stated authorities are nonetheless working with stakeholders to stabilize the state of affairs and make sure the safety of affected Ghanaians.
“We’re persuading the federal government to proceed engaged on this difficulty and they’re saying they need to give us time,” he stated.
He added that if Ghanaian migrants who really feel in danger are legally documented, they need to have the ability to search safety from regulation enforcement with out concern.
“Individuals who really feel protected, particularly legally documented Ghanaians, ought to have the ability to run to a police station searching for security and they are going to be directed to their rightful place of security,” he stated.
Malema additionally referred to testimonies from these affected, together with a Ghanaian lady who spoke concerning the alleged abuse and lack of police intervention in sure instances.
Watch | Julius Malema on immigration stated Ghana’s response was pointless as a result of it appeared that “we’re all like that”. He stated Ghana’s method was not one for elevated dialogue or diplomatic engagement, including that South Africa shouldn’t reply in the identical method. pic.twitter.com/O3zpPyxfzp
— SABC Information (@SABCNews) Might 28, 2026
He stated such experiences spotlight the emotional gravity of the state of affairs, however shouldn’t provoke a hasty diplomatic response.
“That is an emotional difficulty for a lot of of them, and I perceive that,” he stated.
However he argued that Ghana’s response ought to have been delayed to permit South African authorities time to deal with the difficulty internally and forestall additional escalation.
“We consider that the Ghanaian authorities’s response ought to have been delayed a bit to provide it an opportunity to take care of what is occurring right here in South Africa,” he added.
The feedback come amid ongoing diplomatic engagement and public debate over the federal government’s dedication to facilitate the voluntary evacuation of Ghanaians dwelling in South Africa who want to return dwelling following reviews of xenophobic assaults in some elements of southern Africa.
