Five Mozambican nationals have been killed in what the Mozambican government has described as xenophobic attacks in South Africa, marking the first deaths officially linked to the latest wave of anti-illegal migrant protests that have spread across parts of the country.
The deaths occurred amid violence in the Western Cape coastal town of Mossel Bay, where tensions reportedly escalated over the weekend, leaving hundreds of foreign nationals displaced and prompting the repatriation of Mozambican citizens.
In a statement issued late on June 1, the Mozambican government said seven of its citizens had died during the unrest. According to the statement, five of those deaths were directly linked to xenophobic violence, while two others died in a road accident while attempting to return home.
“Regrettably, seven Mozambican citizens have died, five of them as a direct consequence of the xenophobic attacks and the other two as a result of a road accident, when they were travelling in a private vehicle on their way back to Mozambique,” the government said.
The violence is reported to have erupted on May 29 in Mossel Bay, a major port town situated about 380 kilometres east of Cape Town. The area has recently experienced growing tensions linked to demonstrations against illegal immigration, mirroring protests that have surfaced in other parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg and Durban.
According to the Mozambican government, approximately 800 Mozambican nationals were caught up in the unrest. The situation forced many to flee their homes and seek safety.
The government said 300 Mozambican citizens returned to their country by their own means on May 30 as fears over their safety intensified.
“The remaining just over 500 have since been sheltered in a safe location in the Western Cape Province, and as of Monday, the process of their repatriation to Mozambique is already underway,” the statement said.
While Mozambique has directly linked five deaths to xenophobic attacks, South African authorities have so far confirmed only two fatalities.
South African police said on Sunday that they were investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay where anti-migrant violence had been reported.
Speaking to AFP, police confirmed that two Mozambican nationals were killed in Mossel Bay on the night of May 29. However, authorities stopped short of confirming whether the deaths were directly connected to xenophobic attacks.
The differing accounts have raised questions about the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths, although both governments agree that violence broke out in the area during the same period.
Local media reports suggest the unrest began with a protest in Asla Park on Friday. What started as a demonstration reportedly escalated into widespread violence, resulting in several homes being set alight and forcing hundreds of residents to flee.
The violence in Mossel Bay comes as South Africa grapples with renewed public anger over illegal immigration. In recent weeks, demonstrations targeting undocumented migrants have gained momentum in several communities across the country.
Johannesburg and Durban have both witnessed protests demanding stronger action against illegal immigration, with some community groups arguing that undocumented migrants contribute to pressure on public services, employment opportunities and housing.
However, human rights organisations and migrant advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that such protests can quickly escalate into violence against foreign nationals, regardless of their legal status.
The latest incidents in Mossel Bay have now drawn international attention, particularly from Mozambique, which shares a long history of migration and economic ties with South Africa.
Mozambican authorities have moved swiftly to assist affected citizens, coordinating shelter and repatriation efforts for those displaced by the violence.
The government’s statement indicated that hundreds of people had already been relocated to safe areas in the Western Cape while arrangements were being made for their return home.
The deaths are likely to place additional pressure on South African authorities to address growing concerns about anti-foreigner sentiment and ensure the safety of foreign nationals living and working in the country.
For now, investigations into the deaths continue, with police yet to announce any arrests linked to the violence in Mossel Bay.
As authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatalities, hundreds of displaced Mozambican nationals remain in the process of returning home after one of the most serious incidents linked to South Africa’s latest wave of anti-migrant unrest.
