Two Ghanaian nationals have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary investigation into attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, which they said could constitute crimes against humanity.

South Africa has been gripped by a surge in anti-immigrant protests in recent months. Protesters blame the foreigners for problems such as crime and unemployment.

The petition, which has been seen by Reuters and was submitted to the court on July 15, alleges a "pattern of widespread and systematic attacks" against migrants in South Africa.

It was filed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst.

Repeated unrest

A spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Ramaphosa has previously condemned the attacks and warned against scapegoating immigrants for deep-rooted problems.

A South African foreign ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the petition. The ICC, which prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

South Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of anti-migrant unrest for years even though the number of migrants it hosts — roughly 5% of the population — is low by international standards.