The government will engage with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to correct what it says is an inaccurate portrayal of the deaths of Ethiopian nationals in South Africa.

The Presidency said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will engage with the WHO to ensure that the information before them regarding South Africa’s immigration challenges is accurate and reliable.

This comes after WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a statement condemning renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals, which allegedly left several people dead, including at least five Ethiopians who died in the attacks, and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay.

The Presidency said in a statement the engagements will outline in detail how this complex matter is being addressed by the South African government. Most notably, the WHO’s characterisation of the deaths of the Ethiopian nationals is, unfortunately, incorrect.

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“The events that led to the deaths of these Ethiopian nationals fall within the realm of organised crime, as has already been publicly reported, and are being actively investigated by law enforcement agencies.”

The police said the matter regarding the Mozambican nationals remains under active investigation.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration have been unequivocal in their stance: only duly authorised law enforcement officials have the mandate to enforce the law,” the Presidency said.

The Presidency expressed deep regret over the tragic loss of life in the recent incidents, saying one life lost is one too many.