The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has issued an urgent safety advisory to members of the Ghanaian community, urging them to exercise heightened vigilance as a major anti-immigration demonstration takes place in the South African capital today, Tuesday, April 28.
The advisory, signed on behalf of the High Commissioner, warns Ghanaians to prioritise personal safety amid planned demonstrations by the March Organisation — a movement demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the removal of undocumented foreign nationals from South Africa.
The March and March movement is set to descend on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, with leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma heading mass demonstrations calling for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
Gauteng law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert as the group, supported by various civic organisations, continues to demand stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the prioritisation of South African citizens in the informal economy.
In response to the volatile atmosphere, the Ghana High Commission has directed Ghanaian shop owners in Pretoria to close their businesses for the day and to avoid all areas where protests or demonstrations are taking place.
Community members have also been advised to refrain from participating in any public gatherings that could escalate into confrontation.
The advisory further calls on Ghanaians to maintain a low profile in both public spaces and on online platforms, specifically cautioning against the sharing of any content that could be perceived as provocative or inflammatory.
“I urge everyone to continue exercising heightened vigilance and to place the highest priority on personal safety during this period,” the advisory reads in part, adding that further updates will be communicated as necessary.
The advisory comes against the backdrop of a tense few weeks between Ghana and South Africa, following a series of high-profile incidents in which Ghanaian nationals were harassed and intimidated on the streets of South Africa.
The Government of Ghana had earlier summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner in Accra, Thando Dalamba, to formally register its displeasure over the treatment of its citizens, with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa describing the incidents as unacceptable violations of the dignity of law-abiding individuals.
The Ghanaian community in South Africa has been advised to remain indoors where possible until calm is fully restored, and to contact the High Commission through available channels should they require consular assistance.