WATCH: Ramaphosa makes a u-turn on foreign nationals after threatening them

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, under pressure to withdraw campaign trail comments partly blamed on recent xenophobic attacks on foreigners in Durban, said he condemned the violence "in the strongest terms".

The leader of the non-profit African Diaspora Union (AfriDu), Chidiebere Ogbu, cast the blame for the latest eruption of violence on Ramaphosa's remarks at the ANC manifesto launch in January.

"His foot soldiers misunderstood him and started harassing innocent traders," said Ogbu.

In the speech, Ramaphosa had vowed to crack down on businesses operating illegally in townships and rural areas.

"We are going to bring this to an end and those who are operating illegally, wherever they come from must now know," Ramaphosa told supporters.

Speaking at an African National Congress fundraising dinner held at the Coastlands Hotel in Durban on Friday night, Ramaphosa said the attacks on foreigners, which started on Sunday and continued into Tuesday this week, were "wrong".

Ramaphosa makes an abrupt turn



Ramaphosa making threats


Africa Solidarity Network secretary-general Daniel Dunia condemned the attack.

"Many who spoke to me said they were acting on the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa who they say called for a clampdown on foreign-owned businesses and those without correct documentation," he said.