Renowned Kenyan lawyer and Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba has called on the South African government to apologise and compensate African migrants who lost their businesses, homes and livelihoods during the recent wave of anti-immigrant violence.
Speaking in remarks shared by BBC News Pidgin on 4 August, Lumumba argued that South Africa has both a moral and legal responsibility to make amends to fellow Africans affected by the attacks.
He said victims who suffered losses deserve financial compensation, while the government should issue a formal apology for failing to adequately protect them
Lumumba’s comments come as several African governments, including Nigeria and Ghana, have begun documenting losses suffered by their citizens and are considering legal and diplomatic avenues to seek reparations from South Africa.
The latest attacks have strained relations between South Africa and several African nations, reigniting calls for greater continental solidarity and stronger protection for African migrants.
Do you agree with PLO Lumumba? Should South Africa apologise and compensate African victims of xenophobic attacks?