South Africa disputes WHO director-general's claim of 10 foreign nationals killed in xenophobic violence
via The Namibian4 min read
The South African government has refuted claims by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that 10 foreign nationals died in recent anti-immigration protests. Ghebreyesus stated on June 14, 2026, via his official X account, that "at least five Ethiopians killed and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay" were victims of xenophobic violence. However, South Africa's government, in a statement on June 15, described the WHO's characterization as "incorrect." An investigation found no credible reports of five Ethiopian nationals killed in incidents linked to anti-immigration protests. Instead, five Ethiopian nationals were shot dead in Johannesburg in April 2026 in suspected organized crime-related incidents, which the South African government confirmed were under investigation and not connected to xenophobia. Regarding the five Mozambican nationals, the Mozambican government's media office initially reported this figure on June 2. However, the South African Police Service SAPS later confirmed that two Mozambican nationals and one South African national were killed in Mossel Bay. The SAPS stated that the matter is currently under investigation. The article notes that the Nigerian government previously retracted claims of its citizens being killed in anti-immigration unrest after discovering they died in unrelated incidents. The current wave of protests, largely attributed to the March and March group, has led to the repatriation of at least 2,745 foreign nationals, with a
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibia National Paralympic Committee NNPC reports that recent blind football exhibition matches in Windhoek have boosted aspirations to form a national team capable of competing at an African level. These matches, held at the Namibia Special Olympics Grounds in Katutura, are part of efforts to expand Paralympic sports in Namibia beyond athletics. NNPC development officer JP Schmidt stated that the initiative aims to include more sports codes, noting that while many associate Namibian Paralympic sport with track-and-field, there are 23 sport codes. Blind football is a five-a-side game played by blind athletes using a ball with bells for auditory tracking. Schmidt mentioned that spectators were impressed by the talent displayed by the six participating teams, whose players came from various parts of the country. The next phase involves establishing structured competitions and identifying players for national team selection. Schmidt believes Namibia has the potential to become a leading force in African blind football if the program continues to develop. The NNPC and the Namibian Association for Blind Sports plan to engage more regions through training camps and development programs to build the national blind football team.
Namibian center-back Sisqo Haraseb has joined Zimbabwe Premier League side Hard Rock FC after returning from a loan spell with Iraqi Stars League outfit Al-Qassim FC. The 25-year-old has traveled to Zimbabwe and signed with the Kwekwe-based club, becoming the first Namibian international to play for them. Hard Rock FC, newly promoted to the Castle Lager Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, are currently third in the league standings. Haraseb's move follows a challenging loan in Iraq, where Al-Qassim FC faced financial difficulties and relegation. He rose to prominence with Mighty Gunners FC in Namibia, earning a national team call-up in March 2025. After his Cosafa Cup debut, he attracted interest from clubs and signed with Mochudi Centre Chiefs FC in Botswana before his loan to Al-Qassim FC. His departure from Mochudi Centre Chiefs was complicated by an alleged breach of contract, with Haraseb's lawyer now handling a dispute with the club over outstanding payments. Haraseb expressed gratitude for this new chapter in his career after a difficult first year abroad.
The Tunisian Football Federation has announced the replacement of coach Sabri Lamouchi with Frenchman Herve Renard. This decision follows Tunisia's 5-1 defeat by Sweden in the World Cup. Lamouchi, who had been in charge since January, is succeeded by Renard, who previously coached Saudi Arabia to a win against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup and later led the France women's team. The president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Nassari, confirmed that Renard will lead the national team until the end of the 2026 World Cup. Tunisia faces Japan in their next Group F match.