ICC petition by Ghanaians is premature: Lamola

Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, says the petition lodged by two Ghanaian nationals with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa falls outside the court’s jurisdiction.

The two petitioners approached the ICC, alleging that anti-illegal immigration protests across parts of the South Africa amounted to crimes against humanity targeting foreign nationals.

The 30 June deadline, set by civic movements for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country saw a large number of foreigners return to their home countries, citing safety concerns.

Lamola has, however, rejected claims that foreign nationals were targeted, saying police have acted against any criminal conduct during this time.

“This has just been individuals who have taken the law into their own hands. But also in terms of the South African law, this is illegal. And that’s why the police are acting on it.

“We also have the Prevention of racism act that also makes hate speech a crime. So we’ve got various domestic laws that outlaws this kind of conduct, but we also have the Equality Court.”

Lamola further expressed that the decision to approach the ICC is premature, arguing that South African courts are more than capable of handling the matter.

“It is not ripe for this kind of action, because our domestic capabilities, our independent judiciary, can handle these matters in the domestic courts of South Africa.”

His remarks also come after meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama yesterday, where they discussed key issues affecting both countries and reiterated South Africa’s position that migrants were not targeted during last month’s demonstrations.

“The other key issue that we agreed on with President Mahama is that all countries enforce their immigration laws, including Ghana, that migration must be orderly, must be regular, and must be within the law.

“So the main concern he raised, and as you will have seen from the engagement with the chairperson of the African Union, which I also met a month ago, is that they are concerned about private citizens enforcing the law, that it is now left to ordinary people, and we have said, no, that is not South African law.”

Lamola added that South Africa’s binational relations with Ghana will not be affected by the recent protests.

Well done Ghana , You did what the other African leaders were scared to do . You stood firm in protecting the lives of not only Ghanaian but all the Africans who are at the receiving end of xenophobia. Well-done, Africa is proud of you 👏🏾

— Rayzah 🇧🇼🇨🇩 (@MrFishsg) July 23, 2026

If Ghana is fighting for a united Africa, now that South Africa is in crisis,Ghana was supposed to have volunteered to accept all those illegal foreigners from South Africa to Ghana. It doesn’t make sense to petition a failing state like SA to unfairly keep millions of illegals. pic.twitter.com/OQxka0XD4Z

— His Majesty SolMash ka Mdunwazi (@solani_ss) July 23, 2026