Minister condemns fake videos of attacks on foreign nationals amid protests

By Simon Nare

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has condemned the circulation of fabricated video footage purporting to show South Africans attacking foreign nationals, saying the content is being used to inflame tensions, damage the country’s international reputation and falsely portray South Africa as xenophobic.

Her comments come amid renewed concern over anti-immigrant sentiment following recent protests against illegal immigration in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban.

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The demonstrations, led by March and March, have revived memories of past outbreaks of xenophobic violence, including the 2008 attacks in which about 60 people were killed and tens of thousands displaced.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Ntshavheni said the videos circulating on social media were deliberately misleading and intended to undermine both South Africa’s standing abroad and its broader continental agenda.

She cited clips depicting people being attacked with machetes,