Two Ghanaians have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged attacks against migrants in South Africa, saying the violence could amount to crimes against humanity.
The petition, submitted to the Hague-based court, comes after months of anti-illegal migrant protests that have sometimes turned violent.
Several African migrants have been killed, while others have reported being beaten, threatened, or having their homes and businesses looted.
Thousands of foreigners have since left South Africa amid growing tensions, with many leaving ahead of an unofficial deadline set by anti-migrant groups demanding undocumented migrants leave the country.
The protesters accuse migrants from other African countries of contributing to South Africa’s challenges, including unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services.
The ICC petition claims the attacks form part of a “widespread and systematic” campaign against migrants. It also accuses the South African government of failing to adequately prevent the violence or hold perpetrators accountable.
South Africa’s foreign affairs authorities have criticised the petition, describing it as opportunistic.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously condemned attacks on foreigners and warned against blaming migrants for the country’s social and economic problems.
The ICC will now decide whether the allegations meet the requirements for further examination.