South Africa condemns 'fake videos' of alleged xenophobic attacks

But briefing the media on Thursday following a cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said, without specifying which footage she was talking about, that "the fake videos and images are not only fake, but they are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine the country's pursuit of a better Africa agenda".Thousands of South Africans have been protesting against illegal immigration in major cities in recent days, demanding the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.Protesters have said illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime.Referring to the demonstrations, Ntshavheni said South Africans were within their rights to protest against "the spiralling illegal immigration challenge" but added that violence linked to previous protests was unacceptable.Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa and has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly attacks. But the current protests have been largely peaceful with no official reports of accompanying looting of foreign-owned shops or violence against undocumented migrants.South Africa's government has been stepping up diplomatic efforts to quell growing concern around the continent about rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country.In its letter to the AU, Ghana said that what it called xenophobia in South Africa "presents a challenge to the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood, and continental unity". It wants a fact-finding mission to be sent to the country.On Wednesday, Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential spokesperson said he had emphasised "that South Africa is a welcoming country. South Africans are an open, friendly and warm people. And we will reject any notion that seeks to characterise this country or its people as being xenophobic."