This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation, condemning a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Attacks on businesses run by foreign nationals were 'something totally unacceptable, something that we cannot allow to happen in South Africa', according to Ramaphosa in a video address shared on Twitter.
He urged the violence to stop immediately, stating that there was 'no justification' for the attacks.
South African authorities struggled to contain a nationwide surge of anti-foreigner sentiment, which began in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Mobs looted dozens of shops and torched trucks driven by foreigners in various parts of the country.
