Mozambique Reports Multiple Fatalities in South Africa Xenophobic Violence

Mozambique has reported that five of its nationals were killed in what it describes as "xenophobic attacks" in South Africa over the weekend, marking a severe escalation in ongoing anti-immigration violence. The South African police have so far confirmed two deaths of Mozambican citizens in the coastal town of Mossel Bay, where protests and violence have been concentrated. This incident represents the first fatalities officially linked to a broader wave of anti-migrant sentiment that has been gaining momentum across South Africa in recent weeks.

Official Reports and Conflicting Accounts

The Mozambique government's media office issued a statement late on Monday asserting that seven Mozambican citizens had died after violence erupted on Friday in Mossel Bay, approximately 380 kilometers east of Cape Town. According to the statement, five of those deaths were "a direct consequence of the xenophobic attacks," while the other two resulted from a road accident as victims attempted to flee the area in a private vehicle heading back to Mozambique. This account, however, differs from the official South African police version, which has confirmed the deaths of two Mozambican nationals—aged 27 and 43—who died from multiple assault injuries in an informal settlement attached to Mossel Bay. Additionally, police reported finding the body of an 18-year-old South African who had been stabbed to death in the same area during the early hours of Sunday, under circumstances that remain unclear.

Escalation of Violence and Property Destruction

The violence in Mossel Bay has included significant property destruction, with reports indicating that approximately 55 shacks were torched. Local media reports suggest that some of these dwellings were set ablaze while people were still inside, forcing residents to flee with only what they could carry. Dolinda Mabunda, a Mozambican national, told the Mossel Bay Advertiser: "We were still inside when people started burning down our house. I just took what I could and I ran." The mayor of Mossel Bay, Dirk Kotzé, expressed "deep concern and dismay at the current xenophobic attacks where people have been murdered, houses burned and families displaced."

Broader Context of Anti-Immigration Sentiment

The recent violence is part of a larger wave of anti-immigration protests that have been building in South Africa for months. Tensions have been fueled by allegations that undocumented foreign nationals are involved in crime and are taking jobs from local workers. In Mossel Bay, the unrest reportedly ignited over claims that undocumented migrants were being employed by construction companies. This has led to a citizen-led organization demanding that all undocumented foreign nationals exit South Africa by the end of June, though this action has no official backing and has been criticized by authorities. There have been reports of vigilante groups checking documentation and forcing small businesses run by non-South Africans to close.

Regional Responses and Repatriation Efforts

The escalating crisis has prompted significant responses from neighboring countries. Ghana has already evacuated approximately 300 of its citizens, while Nigeria has announced plans to begin repatriation of its nationals. Mozambique has confirmed that 300 of its citizens returned home on Saturday, and an additional 500 are currently sheltered in a safe location in the Western Cape Province, with repatriation processes already underway as of June 1. Other countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise extreme caution. The Mozambican government is coordinating efforts to bring its citizens back, while affected individuals like Silvino Chauque, who told SABC "I will go back [home] because we are not safe," express fear and a desire to leave.

Historical Context and Political Implications

South Africa has a long and painful history of xenophobic violence, with repeated outbreaks over the past two decades. In 2008, 62 people—including 21 South Africans—were killed in anti-immigrant riots that displaced thousands. Further outbreaks followed in 2015 and 2016. The current spike in violence comes at a politically sensitive time, as political parties seek support ahead of local government elections scheduled for November. As the continent's most industrialized economy, South Africa has long been a destination for both legal and undocumented workers from across Africa, a dynamic that has periodically sparked tension and violence.

As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, with the Mozambican government's call for the protection of its citizens and the safe repatriation of those affected highlighting the human cost of this renewed wave of xenophobic violence.