Five Mozambicans Killed as Anti-Immigrant Violence Escalates in South Africa
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Mozambican government has confirmed that five of its citizens were killed during a wave of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, raising concerns over growing tensions linked to protests against undocumented migration.
According to authorities in Maputo, the victims were among hundreds of Mozambicans affected by unrest that erupted in the Western Cape town of Mossel Bay over the weekend. Two additional Mozambican nationals reportedly died in a separate road accident while attempting to return home, bringing the total number of deaths involving Mozambican citizens to seven.
The violence forced many foreign nationals to flee affected communities. Mozambican officials said about 300 citizens returned home over the weekend through their own arrangements, while more than 500 others were relocated to secure shelters as plans for their repatriation commenced.
South African police have launched investigations into the deaths of two men in an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, although authorities have not officially linked the fatalities to the anti-immigration protests or disclosed the victims’ nationalities.
Local officials in the area expressed concern over reports of attacks that have left people dead, displaced families from their homes, and damaged property. Community leaders have called for calm and urged residents to avoid acts of violence.
The unrest in Mossel Bay follows similar demonstrations reported in several parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Durban, and areas of the Eastern Cape, where anti-migrant sentiment has intensified in recent weeks.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years, with major incidents recorded in 2008, 2015, and 2021. Those episodes resulted in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of foreign nationals living in the country.
The latest tensions come ahead of South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for November, with analysts warning that immigration issues are increasingly becoming a focal point in political and public debates across the country.
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