Petition to the Government of South Africa, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Community Leaders

Why This Is Personal to Me

This issue is personal to me because I am an African, and I believe in the dignity, humanity, and worth of all people. When innocent individuals are threatened, attacked, displaced, or have their businesses destroyed simply because of where they were born, it affects all of us.

I believe in justice, human rights, and African unity. I believe countries have the right to manage immigration through lawful processes, but no one has the right to take the law into their own hands through intimidation, violence, or the destruction of livelihoods. When we remain silent in the face of such actions, we weaken the principles of justice, dignity, and Ubuntu that should guide our societies.

This petition is not about politics or division. It is about standing against violence, supporting the rule of law, and protecting the humanity of every person.

We, the undersigned, call on the Government of South Africa to take immediate and decisive action to end xenophobic violence, intimidation, and the unlawful targeting of foreign nationals living and working in South Africa.

South Africa’s Constitution is founded on the principles of human dignity, equality, freedom, and the rule of law. Regardless of nationality, every person deserves protection from violence, discrimination, harassment, and the destruction of their property and livelihoods.

In recent years, documented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other foreign nationals have faced threats, attacks, looting of businesses, and public intimidation. These actions not only harm innocent people but also undermine social cohesion, economic development, and South Africa’s standing as a nation committed to human rights.

We recognize that South Africa faces significant challenges, including unemployment, poverty, crime, and inequality. However, these challenges cannot be solved through violence against fellow Africans and other migrants. Accountability, lawful governance, and sustainable economic solutions—not xenophobia—are the path forward.

We call on the Government of South Africa to:

Publicly and consistently condemn all acts of xenophobic violence and hate speech.
Ensure law enforcement responds swiftly to attacks, intimidation, looting, and destruction of property.
Investigate and prosecute individuals and groups responsible for inciting or committing xenophobic violence.
Protect documented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and their businesses from unlawful targeting.
Strengthen public education campaigns promoting social cohesion, African unity, and respect for human rights.
Address misinformation that fuels hatred and division within communities.
Uphold the Constitution and ensure that immigration enforcement is carried out lawfully and without discrimination or vigilantism.
We further call for an independent investigation into any individuals, organizations, political leaders, activists, or public figures who may have incited, encouraged, promoted, or failed to condemn xenophobic violence and intimidation. No person, regardless of their position or influence, should be above the law.

Those found to have encouraged violence, hate speech, discrimination, or unlawful actions against migrants and foreign nationals should be held accountable through the appropriate legal processes in accordance with South Africa’s Constitution and the rule of law.

We believe that every person deserves safety, dignity, and equal protection under the law. South Africa can address its challenges without resorting to violence and division.

We urge all South Africans, African leaders, civil society organizations, faith communities, businesses, and members of the international community to stand against xenophobia and support peaceful, lawful solutions that protect human rights and human dignity.

Sign this petition and join us in calling for accountability, justice, and an end to xenophobic violence in South Africa.

Together, we can build a South Africa that upholds the values of Ubuntu, justice, dignity, and equality for all.