(Photo: Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)
The presidency warned on Monday against the spread of misleading information on the issue of undocumented foreigners in South Africa after the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recently condemned attacks on foreign nationals in the country.
According to the WHO’s statement, several people lost their lives in the attacks, including at least five Ethiopians and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay.
However, the presidency said in a statement that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) will enter into discussions with the WHO to make sure that the information available to the organization is accurate and reliable.
According to the presidency, the WHO’s description of the death of the Ethiopian citizens is not correct.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa (Photo: GCIS)
“The events that led to the deaths of these Ethiopian citizens are related to organized crime, as has already been reported in the public domain, and are currently being actively investigated by law enforcement authorities,” the statement said.
As for the death of the Mozambican citizens, the police indicated that the matter is still being investigated.
The presidency went on to say that “President Cyril Ramaphosa and the inter-ministerial committee on migration are unequivocal in their position: Only authorized law enforcement authorities have the mandate to enforce the law”.
The presidency also expressed its condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent deaths.
“We mourn the tragic loss of life. One life lost is one too many. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and communities affected by this,” the statement said.