South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has rejected claims made by Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a recent interview on Joy News, describing some of the assertions as misinformation.

In a statement posted on X, Mr Lamola said reports that two Nigerian nationals had been killed during the recent attacks in South Africa were unsubstantiated.

"No Nigerian national has been killed during the current waves of attacks in South Africa," he stated.

He also disputed claims that five Mozambican nationals had been killed. According to him, South African authorities are investigating the deaths of two Mozambican nationals.

"While there is an active South African Police Service investigation into the deaths of two Mozambican nationals, deaths we deeply regret, we trust that this matter will be thoroughly investigated, resulting in clear accountability and justice," he said.

Mr Lamola conveyed condolences to the government and people of Mozambique and noted that South Africa had cooperated with Mozambican authorities regarding the repatriation process.

The South African minister further questioned reports that 15 Ghanaians were currently hospitalised as a result of the attacks.

"It is therefore deeply strange that we are hearing for the first time, through this interview, that 15 Ghanaians are currently hospitalised. We have no information of that nature whatsoever," he wrote.

According to him, South African authorities had not received such information from Ghana's High Commissioner.

Mr Lamola also addressed suggestions of possible action against South African businesses operating in Ghana, stating that such issues predated the recent attacks.

"The truth is, mere months into the new Ghanaian administration, the operating conditions for a number of South African companies had already been made untenable," he said, adding that he had previously written to Mr. Ablakwa on the matter.

On the repatriation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa, Mr. Lamola reiterated findings from South Africa's Department of Home Affairs and Border Management Authority regarding a May 27 flight involving about 300 travellers.

According to him, 25 individuals came from a deportation facility, while the remaining passengers were transported by the Ghanaian High Commission.

He stated that after immigration checks, about 90 per cent of the travellers were found to be undocumented and were issued Emergency Travel Certificates by the Ghanaian Embassy to facilitate their return home.

Mr Lamola also said many of the travellers had overstayed their visas, with some remaining in South Africa beyond the permitted period by more than a year.

He warned that South Africa would defend itself against any legal action it considered baseless.

"Let there be no misunderstanding: we will vigorously defend any frivolous or baseless lawsuit emanating from Ghana against South Africa," he stated.

Despite the disagreements, Mr Lamola said South Africa remained committed to regional integration and dialogue on migration-related issues through bilateral and multilateral channels.

He reiterated that violence against migrants is contrary to South Africa's constitutional principles and pledged that the government would continue to uphold protections against discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, gender or sexuality.

The statement was issued in response to comments made by Mr. Ablakwa during an interview on Joy News concerning the treatment of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.