The Mozambican government announced on 1 June that at least five of its citizens died in xenophobic attacks in South Africa over the past weekend. These are the first official fatalities linked to nationwide protests against illegal immigration.
According to a statement from the Mozambican government press office, about 800 citizens were caught up in violence that erupted in the southern coastal city of Mossel Bay on 28 May. The statement said: "Unfortunately, seven Mozambican citizens died, five directly as a result of the xenophobic attacks and two in traffic accidents while travelling in private vehicles on their way back to Mozambique."
The violence prompted 300 Mozambicans to return home on 29 May. The remaining more than 500 people have been taken to safe shelters in Western Cape province, and the repatriation process began on 1 June.
South African police previously said they were investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, where xenophobic attacks were reported. However, they did not confirm if those deaths were linked to the protests or the nationality of the victims.
Regional Mayor Dirk Kotze expressed "deep concern and disappointment at the current xenophobic attacks, where people are being killed, homes burned and families displaced." The area has seen anti-immigrant protests similar to those in the economic hub Johannesburg, Durban, and parts of Eastern Cape province in recent weeks.
South Africa has faced recurring waves of xenophobic violence since 2008, when dozens of migrants were killed and thousands displaced in attacks nationwide. Similar outbreaks occurred in 2015 and 2021. Tensions over immigration have risen as political parties seek support ahead of local government elections in November.
