The South African government has lamented backlash and income loss as xenophobic attacks and the mass evacuation of African immigrants from the country sparked outrage across the continent.

Mmamoloko Kubayi, South Africa’s justice and constitutional development minister, said in an interview with SABC on Sunday that the country was facing backlash and that some of its artists were having their shows cancelled across the continent.

“We can’t lie about the backlash, and that is why part of the work that we are doing as government, as well through DECO, is engagement with businesses abroad, South African companies abroad,” Ms Kubayi said. “Minister Alamola has met with them, and we are providing services, support services and consular services for those businesses on the continent and outside the continent.” 

Ms Kubayi added that the majority of South African artistes perform on the continent, “and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled”. 

“One artiste did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African,” the minister stated. “That is why let’s deal with the issue of illegal immigrants. Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans.”

Waves of recent xenophobic attacks have caused Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and other African countries to evacuate their citizens from South Africa.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a broadcast, warned South Africans against harassing people on the streets by demanding proof of their nationality, vowing to crack down on citizens involved in xenophobic attacks.