International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned violence against foreign nationals, calling it a “blight on our democracy” and warning against misinformation linked to anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has warned that violence against foreign nationals in South Africa is a “blight on our democracy” and a betrayal of constitutional values.
He also cautioned against misinformation and what he described as the rapid spread of “fake news” around incidents linked to anti-immigration sentiment.
Speaking during his opening address at the 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region on Tuesday, Lamola said there was a need to distinguish between verified facts and unverified claims circulating on social media and other platforms.
“Let me state this unequivocally: There is no excuse for violence against foreign nationals in our society. Violence directed at migrants and refugees is a blight on our democracy and a betrayal of our Constitution’s promise of dignity, equality, and fundamental human rights for all,'' Lamola said.
