South African Police Ministry Vows Prosecution for Perpetrators of Xenophobic Attacks Against Foreign Nationals

Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia warns that xenophobic attacks against foreigners will lead to immediate arrest. Read the latest on the SAPS response to looting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 6:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Eyewitness News

Government Issues Stern Warning to Rioters

The South African Police Ministry has officially condemned a recent wave of violence directed at foreign residents, specifically targeting Ghanaian nationals. Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia stated on Friday, April 24, 2026, that the government will maintain a zero tolerance policy toward any form of xenophobic conduct. This response comes after a series of incidents involving the intimidation of shopkeepers and the looting of businesses, actions which the ministry characterizes as a direct assault on South Africa’s constitutional values and the rule of law.

Police Command Mobilized for Arrests

In a direct mandate to the South African Police Service, the ministry has ordered officers to move decisively against individuals participating in or orchestrating civil unrest. According to the ministry's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, the state is focused on the identification and apprehension of all parties found to be supporting criminal conduct. The authorities have signaled that the legal system will be used to its full extent to ensure that those who undermine public safety are brought before the courts to face formal charges.

Rejection of Vigilantism as a Grievance Redress

The ministry has explicitly addressed the underlying tensions in affected communities, noting that local grievances provide no legal or moral justification for vigilantism. While acknowledging that certain groups may feel frustrated, the acting minister emphasized that no person has the authority to bypass established legal channels. By attempting to take the law into their own hands, perpetrators are effectively disrupting the very social order they claim to be protecting, leading to further instability across the region.