GHANA OVER REACTED? Malema SHOCKS South Africa As Ghanaians Flee Xenophobia Fears

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Tonight, a chilling warning from a South African Tik Tok live stream is sending shock waves across Africa. A South African woman speaking during a heated liveream warned Ghanaian still living in South Africa that if they talk too much about what is happening, they would be beaten and according to her nothing will happen. The beatings are here. We're going to beat you. That's the only language you understand because you don't understand p a a public engagement, public submission. You don't YOU WERE NEVER TAUGHT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A CULTURE of an a leader engaging you. You are used to a leader beating you and you know THE SOLDIER WILL BEAT you if you vote different. YOU COME FROM THAT CULTURE.

[00:00:51]HIGHWAY. This is the time because engagement they DON'T KNOW IT. YOU'RE TELLING US about Africans. Har Zimbabwans are number one. Nigerians are number two. IF GHANA WANTS TO BE NUMBER THREE AND PASS THE SOMALIANS, ETHOPIANS AND WE CAN TAKE YOU TO NUMBER THREE ON THE LIST. THE choice is yours.

[00:01:12]We can give you our attention because you are looking for it like Zimbabweans and Nigerians. We'll give you baby.

[00:01:18]We'll give you sauce. will give you Perry Perry. You thought you knew us because you were living with us because we're a peaceful nation.

[00:01:28]We don't want you. And the prerogative lies on South Africans. If they don't want you because of your sp skin color and they want another skin color, it lies on them. Go back to your country where there's no white and black leadership who torment you. Let me tell you what. You ran away from your countries. You haven't seen what we will give you. What you saw in Keran, our own being beaten from stealing is nothing.

[00:01:56]Go and study the real history of how South Africans fight.

[00:02:02]What you ran away from your country, the war that you think you ran away, we have you haven't seen it.

[00:02:10]You know what H Sigma, the only way you can deal with these people is give them what they ran away from. You know why you are panicking? It's because you ran away from that thing and now it's facing you here. You thought this is paradise.

[00:02:24]Let me tell you, we are tired of mincing words and telling, you know, stop correcting the narrative that we are beating them. Let them run with the narrative. We want them to these people have been led with fear. That's the only language they understand. Let me tell you what made you run away from your country. We will give it to you 10 times more. What made you run away, which is a war, will give it to you. WE WILL GIVE YOU WAR THAT YOU'VE NEVER SEEN. AND LET ME TELL YOU, THE ANC THAT WAS PRIOR 1994 was an ANC that never went against the will of the people. The ANC that is now is going against the will of the people.

[00:03:04]AND YOU WILL NEVER STOP THE WILL OF the people. YOU WILL NEVER STOP THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

[00:03:12]SHE'S ONLY SPEAK THAT BUSH LANGUAGE THERE. Don't speak that bush language facing up. You will face that bush LANGUAGE IS YOURS. THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

[00:03:24]>> That statement alone has now triggered outrage across social media. Because for many Africans watching this unfold, the question is no longer just about immigration anymore. The question is now this.

[00:03:37]How did Africans get to a point where another African can openly threaten fellow Africans on camera and feel untouchable while doing it? Welcome to the African News Channel. Please like this video, subscribe, and share this report because what is happening right now between Ghana and South Africa is quickly becoming one of the most emotionally charged pan-African crises in recent years. Then came the statement that completely changed the conversation. Julius Malemma, leader of the EFF, stepped before reporters and asked one devastating question. How many jobs have been created since the 300 Gana left South Africa?

[00:04:14]>> The Ghanians because Ghanaians are gone now. 300 of them. How many 300 of jobs were created after the Ghanaians have left? So, it's just a myth. It's a lie which they using to further divide us to perpetuate colonial divisions that were created in the past. And you say no, I hate colonialism. I was a student in F must fall. We must decolonize education.

[00:04:43]We must decolonize this, must decolonize that. But the borders must remain. The borders are actually the most practical thing that was brought about by colonialism and you can't say you are against colonialism but we support the borders. It's never consistent like >> well let's look at Ghana the response you made mention of an example of this incident happening some years ago >> between Ghana and Nigeria >> between Ghana and Nigeria. That's the same thing they said this weekend that this is not something new. The response of Ghana was it a right way to respond and now pushing that this matter be on the agenda of the AU.

[00:05:28]>> It needs to go to the AU.

[00:05:31]The Ghana response was not necessary because it now creates an impression that we are all like that when it is certain section of our society that needs to be contained by law enforcement. And one Ghanian lady was saying you see the problem is I wouldn't have taken this option. The problem is we're being beaten in front of the police and the police are not doing anything. That's the problem. and and and and when this opportunity came for me to leave, I left because if the police can't defend me, it means the state is in agreement with the people who are beating me. So, we think it was too quick, we will still resolve this and president of Ghana should have given us, you know, some time to really deal with this matter and and we'll get to the bottom of it. We we hope they will come back to their senses. We we don't have to respond the same way they did. We need to pursue the diplomatic engagements with Ghana until uh we find one another.

[00:06:36]We don't think Ghana responded in a manner that really reinforces dialogue and diplomatic engagement. It actually creates a very bad extreme situation which is not it's a it's a selected few and we are pursuing and persuading government to still act on those few and we're saying to them h they must give us some time they must be patient and those who don't feel safe especially the legally documented Ghanaians should be able to run to police stations for safety and they will be directed to rightful places where they'll be secured. But you know they it's an emotional issue for many of them understandably so but the reaction of government should have been you know postponed a bit to give us an opportunity to deal with what is happening. My last question, I'm sure to talk about issues.

[00:07:38]>> That single sentence exploded online because it directly attacked the main argument driving many anti-immigration movements inside South Africa. If foreigners are truly responsible for unemployment, then after hundreds of Ghanaians started leaving, where are the new jobs? Where is the economic breakthrough South Africans were promised? Has poverty disappeared? Has crime suddenly stopped? Or are migrants becoming the easiest people to blame during economic hardship?

[00:08:08]That question is now dividing opinions across Africa. Many South Africans supporting tougher immigration policies insist undocumented migration is putting pressure on jobs, housing, health care, and public services in a country already battling unemployment above 30%. the AU the Ghana response was not necessary because it now creates an impression that we are all like that when it is certain section of our society that needs to be contained by law enforcement and one Ghanaian lady was saying you see the problem is and I wouldn't have taken this option the problem is we're being beaten in front of the police and the police are not doing anything that's the problem and and and and when this opportunity came for me to leave. I left because if the police can't defend me, it means the state is in agreement with the people who are beating me. So, we think it was too quick.

[00:09:08]We we will still resolve this and president of Ghana should have given us, you know, some time to really deal with this matter and and we'll get to the bottom of it. We we hope they will come back to their senses. uh we we we don't have to respond the same way they did.

[00:09:26]We need to pursue the diplomatic uh engagements with Ghana until uh we find one another. We don't think uh Ghana responded in a manner that really reinforces dialogue and diplomatic engagements. It actually creates a very bad extreme situation which is not um it's a it's a selected few and uh we are pursuing and persuading government to still act on those uh few and we're saying to them uh they must give us some time they must be patient and those who don't feel safe especially the legally documented Ghanaians should be able to run to police stations for safety and then they will be directed to rightful places where they'll be secured. But you know they it's an emotional issue for many of them understandably so but the reaction of government should have been uh you know postponed a bit to give us an opportunity to deal uh with what is happening here in South. My last question, I'm sure the colleagues would also want to talk about local issues.

[00:10:34]The the the issue here, you also have genuine concerns by South Africans. I mean, 30 years on, but across the rest of Africa, many people are asking whether migrants are now being turned into scapegoats for problems created by politicians and deeper economic failures.

[00:10:54]The situation became even more controversial after comments from figures linked to the anti-immigration movement known as March and March.

[00:11:03]Justintent, one of the prominent voices associated with the movement, argued during an interview that Ghanaans reacted too fast, insisting that nobody had beaten Ghanaans in South Africa. But those comments immediately clashed with disturbing testimonies already circulating online. One Ghanaian man who recently returned home showed visible marks on his back in a viral video while claiming he was assaulted during anti-forigner operations linked to groups like Operation Dudulla and anti-immigration activists.

[00:11:35]>> Um where I think the Ghanaian government really overreacted.

[00:11:39]Um I think it's I it's it's disappointing man. I think we've had a lot of respect for for Ghana as a country and for the people of Ghana and we still do. But for them to react in the way that they did is is largely dishonest because for them to claim that there were people who were beaten up when they know there were no people beaten up and for the Minister of Police to even echo that is absolutely ridiculous. instead of them addressing that issue in a correct manner to say listen we noted that there's a citizen of ours who was in the country um so so broken the laws this is our these are our concerns etc etc they decided to do a whole PR exercise that would paint South Africa as xenophobic very disappointing >> you know the problem with these people the South Africans some of them I won't say all of them some of them. It's like these people they have the balls to do whatever they are doing in South Africa and call it standing up for their country but they don't have the balls to deal with whatever is coming with it as in dealing with the consequences. You people wake up in the morning attack people close shops kicking people out of their houses whether they are legal or illegal you are kicking them out. You meet people and you are confronting them. I don't know your definition of xenophobia but with all these things you are doing give us a name so that we'll call all these things that you are doing you this jinta this jinta lady you stood in front of people wearing Adidas and then you are telling them to boycott foreign businesses why you not wearing cow scheme why you not wearing good skin if Adidas decided to stay in their country like do you think you have Adidas to wear you don't do all these things and want us to call you what angels you don't know >> you people think that South Africa is looking good because all the money is coming from your country as I'm talking to you now one of your big companies in Ghana I'll mention the name but you people you know they are gold mining company they have been here for over 33 years and yet when you go to tawa is one of the least attractive places in Ghana >> I'm telling you >> but nobody's blaming them because they are here legally if you are to blame anyone government will blame them they are to strike better deal with these people at the end of the day they are paying taxes they employing people so you don't blame them you blame our government and that's what we are doing >> you get They are seeking to extend their time next year for another 20 years and you think that Ghana people will be happy. Now you have people online warning the government not to give them extension. Do you think that this is fair for for people like that? Yesterday it was supposed to be Africa Day celebration in South Africa but then all the ambassadors and all the the the envoys they boycotted the whole thing.

[00:14:18]You are kicking Africans out of your country and yet you want to celebrate Africa. You claim you don't need other Africans in your country and now people are taking their people out of your country too. you are complaining, saying they overreacting.

[00:14:30]>> Now, this is where the entire situation becomes even more explosive. Another figure associated with the movement publicly thanked Ganaian for leaving South Africa. Think about how powerful that moment is. Africans celebrating the departure of fellow Africans from African soil, not Europeans, not Americans. Africans celebrating the removal of fellow Africans. And that is why many people are now asking whether the dream of African unity is slowly collapsing in front of our eyes. Because for decades, African leaders spoke about pan-Africanism. They spoke about brotherhood. They spoke about a united Africa. But tonight, many ordinary Africans are asking a painful question.

[00:15:12]Was pan-Africanism ever truly real? Or did it only exist in speeches, summits, and political slogans?

[00:15:19]>> My African brothers, we don't hate you.

[00:15:21]We are just fixing our country. Thank you Ghana. Thank you Ghana for standing up for your people. Thank you Ghana for coming and fetching your people. And we call on all African brothers and sisters to go back to their countries so we can fix South Africa so that you can come back. And also this this should be an inspiration to you guys to go back to your countries and fight for your countries. This should be a learning curve for your governments to start loving its own people. Governments of Africa must start loving it. If we want united Africa, let us unite Africa with proper countries, proper functioning countries. That's all we are asking for.

[00:16:00]There is no xenophobia. Then there is no tribalism and there will be no violence.

[00:16:04]We are just asking foreigners to leave this country. Illegal foreigners because every country is got laws. Even the laws of the countries are more tougher than our laws. So respect this country. We are men. We are standing up. We are fighting for this country. 30 June is the deadline for every foreigner to have left the country. Thank you very much.

[00:16:25]>> The numbers themselves are becoming impossible to ignore. International reports confirm that nearly 300 Ghanaian have already returned home from South Africa under a voluntary repatriation process. But according to reports, around 800 Ghanaian have already registered or indicated interest in leaving South Africa amid rising fears over xenophobic tensions and anti-immigration protests. Even more concerning, reports suggest that additional people arrived hoping to leave beyond those already registered.

[00:16:58]That means fear inside the Ganaan community may now be spreading faster than authorities expected. And this is where Julius Malma's question becomes even more powerful. If hundreds of people are already leaving, where are the opportunities suddenly opening up for struggling South Africans? Are businesses suddenly hiring more people?

[00:17:18]Are communities suddenly safer? Or is the real crisis much deeper than immigration itself?

[00:17:25]Waves of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa have seen these Ghanaian nationals decide it's too dangerous to stay. A group of 300 people queued to be among the first to board flights home from Johannesburg early on Wednesday.

[00:17:40]>> I'm happy my group to my country.

[00:17:42]>> So my brother, it's not easy to go some country then disturb you always.

[00:17:49]>> Authorities described a voluntary repatriation process for Ghanaian citizens who say they no longer feel safe. Heightened safety concerns follow a series of anti-immigration protests in recent weeks. in some cases accompanied by instances of violence against migrants from other subsaharan African countries. Campaigners have demanded tighter controls on what they described as undocumented migrants and accused foreigners of contributing to crime and unemployment. South Africa has been working with Ghana on a list of around 800 people who have indicated they want to leave. Ghana's high commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashi, hoped the departures would ease tensions while preserving diplomatic ties.

[00:18:33]>> The demonstrators have said that they want us to work together. How do we work together? Ensuring that those that are undocumented, we are taking them back home. We are ensuring that if we want to work as a committee of nations to achieve much together, the panafricanism that we all talk about, we should allow institutions to work. Once the institutions are working, I don't think we find ourselves in this kind of situations whatsoever.

[00:18:57]>> Migrant rights groups say they are being scapegoed by South Africans who blame them for the country's economic problems. Unemployment hovers at over 30% and disproportionately affects the black population.

[00:19:10]South African authorities have condemned violence against foreign nationals and pledged to crack down on xenophobic attacks.

[00:19:19]To be fair, many South Africans supporting these anti-immigration campaigns insist their frustrations are not based on hatred, but on economic survival.

[00:19:30]South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world, and millions of young people remain unemployed.

[00:19:37]Immigration officials also reportedly claimed that many of those who left South Africa lacked proper immigration documentation and that reality is now fueling stronger support for immigration crackdowns inside the country. But critics are asking another difficult question. Even if someone lacks proper documentation, does that justify intimidation? Does it justify fear campaigns? Does it justify threats on live streams? Because once fear starts targeting Africans based on nationality, where does it stop? Today it may be Ghanaians, tomorrow it could be Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Congalles, Ethiopians, or even South Africans living elsewhere in Africa. Meanwhile, anger among ordinary Ganaian online continues growing rapidly.

[00:20:23]Some are calling for boycots against South African businesses operating across Africa. Others are demanding stronger action from African governments against xenophobia. And many are asking whether African countries should continue embracing South African companies while Africans themselves increasingly feel unsafe inside South Africa.

[00:20:42]>> The truth of the matter is that we treating South Africa with kids glove.

[00:20:49]>> Yeah.

[00:20:50]>> You think we should toughen up on them?

[00:20:51]>> I think we've they've taken these things for granted. Mhm.

[00:20:55]>> It has become their way of life. Some few misguided political >> uh elements try to thrive on this use it to launch themselves into national uh political positions using this attacks.

[00:21:14]>> Yeah.

[00:21:15]>> So if you see what is happening right now but for this xenophobic attack who was Jasinta >> who knew about her.

[00:21:22]>> Mhm.

[00:21:23]So I don't know whether she's actually the daughter of Jacob Zuma, >> but you can realize that this particular apple fell very very far away from the tree >> because >> and the F1 tree >> the F1 tree the impedance that she thinks she can even communicate to Ghana and >> Ghanaians are overreacting. It doesn't >> really seriously I found that very unfortunate.

[00:21:56]>> So for me this is quite unusual of me but I think I also now back the calls that >> they can go to hell somersault and come back >> that particular mining company from South Africa they shouldn't have their license renewed >> really.

[00:22:12]>> Oh I I support that call >> irrespective of their contributions to our economy.

[00:22:16]>> What what are they contributing?

[00:22:18]>> They pay taxes. They pay royalty. East Lego executive club they should come together and come and take their money.

[00:22:26]>> They should pull resources and come and take the money.

[00:22:28]>> That is what they they actually talking about now that you get people who know next to nothing.

[00:22:35]All they do is because they are one of the African countries that get >> paid uh >> unemployment benefit allowance. They just sit and drink and that's all that's all the work they do. And now because the money for drinking is finished, they are going to take over somebody's business because the person came there struggle set up a business and his only crime is that he's not from South Africa.

[00:22:57]>> Yeah.

[00:22:59]>> So Jasinta and people have their country to go and say go back to Ghana.

[00:23:04]>> Mhm.

[00:23:05]>> We are taking over your business if you like. If we also breaking the law there, you can also take it. Good.

[00:23:12]>> H your your lease has expired at Taqua.

[00:23:15]>> Taka. So we are not renewing it for you.

[00:23:17]Go back to South Africa and fix South Africa mines.

[00:23:20]>> You can also do your mining. There's gold in South Africa and they should go there and mine. Yes.

[00:23:26]>> And DSTV and MTN should also get ready.

[00:23:30]>> Oh really?

[00:23:31]>> Oh yeah. Yes. No. You see I listened to one Nigerian senator >> Mhm.

[00:23:36]>> who said if we don't all act mad and there is a balance of madness there will be no sanity. M m makes sense. Yeah.

[00:23:46]>> Because I remember a famous quote by Rollins who says if your opponent pulls a gun and you also pull a gun at least now there's a stalemate so you both put it down and negotiate.

[00:23:57]>> Yeah.

[00:23:58]>> So it looks as if we've tolerated it right from 208 2015. The worst was 208 and 2015 >> where they even killed people.

[00:24:07]>> Yeah.

[00:24:08]>> Yesterday one gentleman at the airport he was showing his car and everything.

[00:24:13]Yeah.

[00:24:14]At the same time, the Ganaian government has so far avoided retaliation. There are currently no confirmed sanctions, no trade restrictions, and no diplomatic breakdown between both countries.

[00:24:26]Officials from both sides continue emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm and preserving diplomatic ties. But beneath the official statements, tensions among ordinary citizens continue rising online every single day. And this may be the most dangerous part of the entire crisis because once ordinary Africans begin turning emotionally and economically against one another, the damage could go far beyond migration. It could affect African trade, diplomacy, tourism, regional cooperation, and even the African Union's long-term dream of continental integration.

[00:25:02]So tonight, Africa faces an uncomfortable question. Can Africa ever truly unite if Africans themselves increasingly fear one another during economic hardship? Or is economic frustration slowly destroying the pan-African dream from the inside?

[00:25:18]Disclaimer: This report is intended for news analysis, public discussion, and educational purposes based on publicly available reports, interviews, and statements. The African News Channel does not promote violence, hatred, or attacks against any nationality or group of people. And if you believe the Africa News Channel should continue bringing balanced, fearless, and indepth African geopolitical analysis like this, consider supporting the channel by joining our membership or sending a super thanks. Your support helps us continue producing powerful documentaries and investigations that many mainstream outlets refuse to discuss. Because history has shown something dangerous. When societies become desperate enough, people stop asking who created the crisis and start blaming whoever is easiest to target.