International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said this week: “To be frank, we are also worried about the convergence between the peddlers of the white genocide narrative and the organisers of violent anti-migrant actions.

“Their common enterprise seeks to divide our nation, undermine our democracy and fracture our solidarity with the rest of Africa,” Lamola told the Second Global Africa and the African Diaspora Conference at the OR Tambo International Conference Centre in Boksburg.

Lamola spoke of “the resurgence of reactionary and right-wing politics”, and said: “In our country, one of the most troubling manifestations of this political regression is the rise of violent anti-migrant movements.

“The attacks and violence against migrants, which have mostly affected migrants from our own continent, deserve not only the strongest condemnation, but also the firmest action from our law enforcement authorities.

“This moment also calls on us to strengthen our capabilities to deal with disinformation, the stoking of hatred and incitement to violence. Much of this takes place behind smartphone and computer screens,” the minister said.

“The South African government is acting against those who exploit concerns about irregular migration to advance criminal and hate-fuelled agendas. To date, more than 100 cases are before our courts, and over 40 investigations related to intimidation, looting and anti-migrant violence are under way.

“Just days ago, four people who are accused of participating in mob violence that resulted in the killing of a migrant in Durban were brought before the courts,” the minister said. “Our position is unequivocal: the perpetrators of these despicable acts must be held accountable.”

Lamola said “growing hostility towards migrants is a concerning reality across our continent”, and that South Africa “continues to call for a continent-wide dialogue to address the root causes of anti-migrant sentiment and develop Pan-African responses to violence, discrimination and xenophobia”.