Ghana News
‘Leave Now, Not on June 30’: Heartbreaking Video Captures South African Vigilante Group Issuing Ultimatum to Immigrants as Xenophobic Violence Intensifies
The surge in xenophobic violence driven by anti-immigrant vigilante groups that has gripped South Africa since January 2026 seems to be intensifying.
This month, groups like Operation Dudula and March on March have issued ultimatums, looted foreign-owned businesses, and forcibly evicted immigrants from cities including Johannesburg and Durban.
A trending video circulating widely on social media captures the latest confrontation between members of a vigilante group and African immigrants, during which the group issues a chilling ultimatum: leave the country immediately rather than waiting for a purported June 30 deadline.
“We’ve been begging for six months, we’ve been begging you guys to leave South Africa. Why are you still here?” one unidentified group member is heard saying.
‘Don’t Listen to the Police. Just Listen to Us’
In the video, which has sparked international outrage and broken the hearts of many well-meaning Africans who stood by the Rainbow nation during the Apartheid era, a group member confronts immigrants, demanding to know their countries of origin and why they remain in South Africa.
When one individual says he is from Uganda, the group member responds:
“As you were running, you were running to Uganda? That’s our business. The fight is not about you. The fight is about correcting the systems and fixing our country.”
The group member explicitly instructs immigrants to disregard government and law enforcement authorities.
“Don’t listen to the government, don’t listen to the police, don’t listen to anyone. Just listen to us. We are saying this peacefully, please go to your parents,” he says.
He then issues a stark warning regarding the previously reported June 30 deadline:
“30 June is the deadline, but it’s not like you must leave on the 30th of June. Don’t leave on the 30th of June. Leave now, because on the 30th of June I can’t control people of South Africa.”
Vigilante Groups Blame Immigrants for Crime and Unemployment
Operation Dudula and March on March, the groups at the forefront of the current wave of violence, have gained significant followings by blaming immigrants for South Africa’s persistently high crime rates and unemployment.
These vigilante organizations have conducted patrols in immigrant neighborhoods, forced the closure of foreign-owned shops, and physically evicted immigrants from their homes.
The violence has particularly targeted informal traders, many of whom come from other African nations including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Victims have reported beatings, looting of their businesses, and being forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Government Response Criticized as Weak
South African authorities have faced mounting criticism for what many describe as an inadequate response to the violence. Police have made some arrests, but activists argue that law enforcement has been slow to intervene or has stood by while vigilante groups operate with impunity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously condemned xenophobic violence, stating that attacks on foreign nationals go against South Africa’s constitutional values and its history of liberation. However, critics argue that rhetorical condemnations have not translated into effective action to protect vulnerable immigrant communities.
A Pattern of Recurring Violence
South Africa has a long and painful history of xenophobic attacks. Major outbreaks occurred in 2008, 2015, 2019, and 2021, each resulting in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of foreign nationals. The current wave suggests that underlying tensions and scapegoating of immigrants remain unresolved despite government promises to address the root causes.
Human rights organizations have called for urgent intervention, including increased police presence in immigrant neighborhoods, public education campaigns to counter xenophobic rhetoric, and prosecutions of vigilante leaders who incite violence.
‘Only South Africans Must Cook Food’
The latest video also captures the group’s exclusionary ideology in stark terms. When one immigrant from Uganda explains that he is in South Africa “just cooking food,” the group member responds:
“No, you can’t leave your country to come and cook food here. It’s not like constitutionally you can’t do that. The Constitution doesn’t allow that. Only South Africans must cook food.”
The group member concludes with a final warning:
“Please, go home. Now we’re back on Tuesday. Please.”
International Concern Growing
The African Union and the United Nations have expressed concern over the rising violence, calling on South Africa to protect all residents regardless of their nationality. Several African governments, especially Ghana, have issued travel advisories or summoned South African diplomats to protest the treatment of their citizens.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
Ghana News
‘I Will Fight for His Freedom’: Lawyer for Ghanaian MP Arrested in The Netherlands Speaks as Client Awaits Extradition Fate
Accra, Ghana – The Ghanaian lawyer representing detained Member of Parliament Ohene Kwame Frimpong, popularly known as OK Frimpong, has given crucial updates about the case, declaring his readiness to fight for the lawmaker’s freedom in Amsterdam as the MP awaits a potential extradition to the United States.
Speaking in an interview on Salt FM on May 14, 2026, Elvis Adu-Ameyaw, the MP’s lawyer in Ghana, disclosed that his client currently has legal representation in Amsterdam and is likely to contest the case in the Netherlands for about a month before any possible extradition to the United States.
The arrest was confirmed by the Parliament of Ghana on May 12, 2026.
US Bench Warrant Issued for MP Wanted in Illinois
While cautioning that many details remain unclear, Adu-Ameyaw confirmed that a US bench warrant lies at the center of the detention.
“For now, there are not many details regarding the reason for his arrest, but to the best of my knowledge, a bench warrant has been issued by the United States. Per my understanding, he is wanted in Illinois,” the lawyer stated.
He declined to comment on the specific charges levelled against his client, saying:
“Regarding the detailed charges levelled against him, I cannot go into that.”
A Month-Long Legal Fight Before Extradition Decision
Adu-Ameyaw outlined the legal timeline facing the embattled legislator, explaining that the extradition process in the Netherlands could take up to a month. “To the best of my knowledge, these proceedings can sometimes take up to a month. If, after everything, he is found guilty, then he will be extradited to the US. But if he is not found guilty, he will regain his freedom,” he said.
The lawyer’s comments represent the first official statement from the MP’s legal team since the arrest sent shockwaves through Ghana’s political establishment and sparked a major diplomatic effort between Accra and The Hague.
Questions Over Whether Ghana Was Notified
Meanwhile, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has revealed that the MP’s legal team in Amsterdam has successfully gained access to the warrant, which was reportedly issued on April 26, 2026 – more than two weeks before the MP was detained at Schiphol Airport.
“The lawyers are just informing me that they have seen the warrant, and it was issued on April 26. So, even as a sovereign nation, I doubt whether we were informed in any way,” Dafeamekpor said, raising questions about whether Ghanaian authorities were given any advance notice of the impending arrest.
MP’s Political Background
Ohene Kwame Frimpong, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, entered Parliament after securing a major upset victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, defeating incumbent Andy Appiah-Kubi of the New Patriotic Party. He has since caucused with the Majority side of Parliament.
The arrest has ignited a national conversation about international law enforcement cooperation, the handling of politically exposed persons, and the responsibilities of sitting legislators who face legal troubles abroad.
What Comes Next
The MP remains in custody in the Netherlands as his legal team prepares to contest the extradition proceedings.
The case has drawn significant attention from Ghana’s Foreign Ministry and the Attorney-General’s office, with officials working to ascertain the full details of the allegations.
Ghana News
Lawyer for Ghana MP Arrested in Netherlands Gives Update, IEA Opposes Gold Field’s Lease Extension and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
Welcome to our curated morning news roundup.
Lawyer for OK Frimpong Speaks After Arrest of MP in the Netherlands
Legal counsel for detained Ghanaian MP Ohene Kwame Frimpong, known as OK Frimpong, has broken his silence following the lawmaker’s arrest in the Netherlands. The lawyer provided the first official comments on the situation, which has sparked a major diplomatic effort between Accra and The Hague. Speaking in an interview on Salt FM on May 14, 2026, the lawyer, Elvis Adu-Ameyaw, stated that he is prepared to fight for MP’s freedom in Amsterdam.
The arrest of the Asante Akyem North MP, who was reportedly travelling to the United Kingdom, has raised numerous questions. The Majority Chief Whip previously revealed that the MP was detained based on an international warrant circulated through INTERPOL. The legal team’s statement is highly anticipated as it may shed light on the specific allegations against the legislator. Read the full story here
IEA Urges Government to Reject Gold Fields’ Lease Extension for Tarkwa Mine
The Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) is urging the Ghanaian government to reject a proposed lease extension for Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine, arguing that the current terms are not in the country’s best interest. The policy think tank believes the agreement, as it stands, fails to secure adequate benefits for the state and local communities, potentially locking Ghana into decades of unfavourable revenue sharing. The IEA is calling for a renegotiation that prioritises national development and environmental safeguards.
This pushback comes amid a broader national conversation about how Ghana manages its natural resource wealth. The IEA’s stance adds pressure on the government to demonstrate transparency and assertiveness in dealings with multinational mining corporations. Analysts suggest that a failure to secure better terms could set a damaging precedent for future resource contracts. Read the full story here
Nurse Killed in Crash While Transporting Medical Supplies with Motorbike
A tragic road accident has claimed the life of a nurse who was transporting essential medical supplies on a motorbike. The female health worker, whose dedication took her on perilous routes to deliver critical supplies, was involved in a fatal crash that has sent shockwaves through the local health community. The incident highlights the often-dangerous conditions faced by healthcare professionals working to reach underserved communities.
The death has reignited calls for improved logistical support for health workers, particularly those in rural areas who rely on personal vehicles and motorcycles to perform their duties. Colleagues and community members are mourning the loss, describing her as a selfless individual who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Read the full story here
Antoine Semenyo Shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Season Award
Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo has received a prestigious nomination, being shortlisted for the English Premier League Player of the Season award. The Black Stars forward has enjoyed a remarkable campaign, becoming one of the most lethal and exciting attackers in the world’s most-watched league. His powerful runs and clinical finishing have made him a fan favourite and a nightmare for opposing defenders.
Semenyo’s nomination is a massive boost for Ghanaian football, placing him among the elite players in the global game. His success serves as an inspiration to young talents across the country, proving that Ghanaian players can compete at the very highest level. The winner of the award will be announced at the end of the season. Read the full story here
Makola Market Traders to Petition Mahama Over Relocation Plans
Hundreds of traders from the 31st December Makola Market in Accra are staging a protest march today, Friday, May 15, heading to the Jubilee House to petition President John Dramani Mahama. The traders are vehemently opposing what they describe as plans by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to relocate them from the market without providing an alternative trading space. The demonstration has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among business owners who rely entirely on daily sales for their survival.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the demonstration, Interim Market Manager Ebenezer Bekoe expressed strong dissatisfaction, insisting that the traders feel abandoned and threatened by the proposed arrangement. “We are going to take a very drastic action. Our placards are ready, and we are moving,” Bekoe warned. He noted that while the police have issued a permit for 100 persons, the actual number of protesters is expected to be far larger, as many have invested heavily in their businesses and fear the relocation will worsen their economic hardship. Read the full story here
Ghana Shippers Authority Postpones Implementation of Revised Container Charge
The Ghana Shippers Authority has announced a postponement of the planned implementation of revised container charges, offering a reprieve to importers, exporters, and freight forwarders. The decision to delay the new fee structure comes after consultations with industry stakeholders who raised concerns about the potential impact on the cost of doing business. The Authority has not yet set a new effective date, promising further engagement with the shipping community.
The postponement is seen as a victory for trade advocacy groups which argued that the immediate implementation would have disrupted supply chains and increased inflationary pressures. The move allows businesses more time to adjust and for the Authority to refine the policy. The decision demonstrates a responsive regulatory approach, balancing the need for efficient port operations with the realities of the current economic climate. Read the full story here
Very Good Time to Be in Ghana, EU Ambassador Tells Investors
The European Union Ambassador to Ghana has declared that it is a “very good time to be in Ghana,” issuing a strong endorsement to the international investment community. Speaking at a recent economic forum, the Ambassador highlighted the country’s stable democracy, strategic location, and ongoing economic reforms as key attractions for European businesses. The endorsement signals strong international confidence in Ghana’s potential as a prime investment destination.
The Ambassador’s comments are expected to boost foreign direct investment, particularly in sectors like agribusiness, technology, and renewable energy. This vote of confidence comes at a crucial time as the government seeks to accelerate industrialisation and create jobs. The EU remains one of Ghana’s largest trading partners, and this public encouragement is likely to strengthen bilateral trade ties even further. Read the full story here
Ghana News
Newspaper Headlines Today: Friday, May 15, 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.









Newspaper Headlines Today: Thursday, May 14, 2026
-
Ghana News1 day agoNewspaper Headlines Today: Thursday, May 14, 2026
-
Ghana News1 day agoLack of Trust in Ghana May Have Blocked OK Frimpong Extradition, Analyst Amanda Clinton Says as MP Detained in The Hague
-
From the Diaspora2 days agoBlack American Expats and Investors Take Legal Action Against Portugal Over Sudden Citizenship Law Change
-
Ghana News1 day agoMahama Chairs Meeting on Constitution Review, ECG Maintenance Across Tema, Ashanti & Western Regions, 6 New Mpox Cases and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
-
Ghana News18 hours agoPresident Mahama Announces $300m World Bank Project to End Ghana’s Double Track School System by 2027
-
Fashion & Style1 day agoThe New Style Formula Turning Simple Pants Into Fashion Essentials
-
Health & Wellness1 day agoThe Fitness Advice More Women Are Hearing After 35: Lift Heavier, Not Longer
-
Ghana News4 hours agoNewspaper Headlines Today: Friday, May 15, 2026
