The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has advised Ghanaian nationals to shut their shops and remain indoors as a protest over immigration is set to take place in South Africa’s administrative capital.
In an advisory issued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, on behalf of the High Commissioner, the mission asked Ghanaians and community leaders in Pretoria to avoid protest areas and keep a low profile.
The demonstration, organised by a group described in the advisory as the “March Organisation”, is expected to take place at the Union Buildings. The group, identified in local media as the March and March movement, is led by Ms Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and is calling for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
The planned march follows weeks of anti-immigrant protests in Durban, where groups including March and March, Operation Dudula and Amabhinca Nation carried out what they described as clean-up exercises. During that period, some foreign shop owners were confronted, and several shops closed over fears of looting and attacks.
Reports circulating on social media suggest that some Ghanaians may have been affected. In one instance, a man believed to be Ghanaian was assaulted after failing to produce identification. Another video showed a man who identified himself as Ghanaian being questioned by protesters and asked to leave the country.
The incidents led to diplomatic engagement, with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, contacting South Africa’s International Relations Minister, Mr Ronald Lamola, and summoning South Africa’s envoy in Accra.
Protests in parts of South Africa, including East London, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, have turned violent, leading to looting, damage to property and injuries. The Pretoria march forms part of a series of protests planned across Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, 2026.
The High Commission advised Ghanaian residents in Pretoria to take precautionary steps. “Shop owners are strongly encouraged to close their businesses for the day and avoid areas where protests or demonstrations are taking place,” the advisory said.
It also urged members of the community to avoid public gatherings that could lead to confrontation. The mission extended the caution to online activity, asking individuals to act with restraint and avoid sharing content that could inflame tensions.
Nigeria has issued a similar advisory to its nationals in South Africa, urging them to avoid confrontation and to follow updates from local media.
The Ghana High Commission said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as events unfold.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh