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7 Mozambicans killed as South Africa xenophobic violence
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Seven Mozambican nationals have died following a wave of xenophobic violence in the southern coastal city of Mossel Bay, prompting hundreds of migrants to flee the area and triggering a repatriation exercise by the Mozambican government.
According to a statement issued by Mozambique's government press office, about 800 Mozambican citizens were caught up in the unrest that erupted on Friday in the Western Cape town.
"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 statement said.
The violence prompted around 300 Mozambicans to return home by their own means on Saturday, while more than 500 others were moved to a place of safety in the Western Cape.
"The remaining just over 500 have since been sheltered in a safe location in the Western Cape Province, and as of today, 1 June, the process of their repatriation to Mozambique is already underway," the statement added.
South African police confirmed on Sunday that they were investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, a port town located about 380 kilometres east of Cape Town. Authorities did not immediately establish whether the deaths were directly linked to the xenophobic attacks, nor did they disclose the nationalities of the victims.
However, Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotze expressed concern over the situation, condemning the violence and its consequences.
He said he was deeply troubled by reports of xenophobic attacks that had resulted in deaths, the destruction of homes and the displacement of families.
The unrest in Mossel Bay follows a series of anti-migrant protests reported in other parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Durban and sections of the Eastern Cape in recent weeks.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the past two decades. In 2008, attacks targeting foreign nationals left dozens dead and displaced thousands of people across the country. Similar incidents occurred in 2015 and again in 2021, often fuelled by economic hardship, unemployment and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Analysts say the latest surge in tensions comes at a politically sensitive time, with parties seeking to mobilise support ahead of local government elections scheduled for November.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned that xenophobic violence not only threatens the safety of migrants but also undermines regional integration efforts and social cohesion within Southern Africa.
Authorities in both South Africa and Mozambique are continuing to monitor the situation as efforts to repatriate affected Mozambican nationals continue.
According to a statement issued by Mozambique's government press office, about 800 Mozambican citizens were caught up in the unrest that erupted on Friday in the Western Cape town.
"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 statement said.
The violence prompted around 300 Mozambicans to return home by their own means on Saturday, while more than 500 others were moved to a place of safety in the Western Cape.
"The remaining just over 500 have since been sheltered in a safe location in the Western Cape Province, and as of today, 1 June, the process of their repatriation to Mozambique is already underway," the statement added.
South African police confirmed on Sunday that they were investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, a port town located about 380 kilometres east of Cape Town. Authorities did not immediately establish whether the deaths were directly linked to the xenophobic attacks, nor did they disclose the nationalities of the victims.
However, Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotze expressed concern over the situation, condemning the violence and its consequences.
He said he was deeply troubled by reports of xenophobic attacks that had resulted in deaths, the destruction of homes and the displacement of families.
The unrest in Mossel Bay follows a series of anti-migrant protests reported in other parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Durban and sections of the Eastern Cape in recent weeks.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the past two decades. In 2008, attacks targeting foreign nationals left dozens dead and displaced thousands of people across the country. Similar incidents occurred in 2015 and again in 2021, often fuelled by economic hardship, unemployment and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Analysts say the latest surge in tensions comes at a politically sensitive time, with parties seeking to mobilise support ahead of local government elections scheduled for November.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned that xenophobic violence not only threatens the safety of migrants but also undermines regional integration efforts and social cohesion within Southern Africa.
Authorities in both South Africa and Mozambique are continuing to monitor the situation as efforts to repatriate affected Mozambican nationals continue.
Source - online
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