Following months of sometimes violent anti-illegal migrant protests in South Africa, two Ghanaians have petitioned the International Criminal Court.

They have asked the Hague-based institution to open a preliminary investigation into the attacks against foreigners which they said could constitute crimes against humanity.

Several African migrants have been ​killed in the violence, while others have been beaten or seen their homes and ​shops looted.

Tens of thousands of Africans have fled South Africa, many of them ahead of a unofficial 30 June deadline by anti-migrant groups for undocumented foreigners to leave.

Protesters blame migrants from elsewhere on the continent for problems at home, including crime, unemployment, and pressure on schools and public services.