Mozambique Confirms Deaths of Five Citizens in Mossel Bay Xenophobic Attacks Amid Repatriation Efforts
Mozambique has verified that five of its citizens lost their lives during xenophobic attacks in Mossel Bay over the weekend, marking the first fatalities officially linked to a recent series of anti-immigrant protests reported across various regions of South Africa.
The Mozambican government stated that approximately 800 of its citizens were impacted by the unrest that began in the Western Cape coastal town on Friday. Authorities have since relocated hundreds of those affected to a safe location as measures for their return home continue.
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According to a statement released by the Mozambican government on Tuesday, seven Mozambican nationals lost their lives during the incident.
“Regrettably, seven Mozambican citizens have died, five of whom were directly affected by the xenophobic attacks, and the other two due to a road accident while traveling in a private vehicle back to Mozambique,” the statement read.
Mozambique Confirms Deaths In Mossel Bay Xenophobic Attacks
The xenophobic attacks in Mossel Bay prompted several Mozambican nationals to leave South Africa over the weekend. Government representatives reported that around 300 individuals returned to Mozambique independently on Saturday.
Additionally, authorities noted that over 500 others remain under protection in the Western Cape. Plans for their transportation back to Mozambique are already underway.
“The remaining just over 500 have been sheltered in a secure location in the Western Cape Province, and as of today, June 1, the process of repatriating them to Mozambique has commenced,” the statement indicated.
Police Investigate Deaths Linked To Mossel Bay Xenophobic Attacks
South African police confirmed on Sunday that they are investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay. This port town, located approximately 380 kilometers east of Cape Town, has recently seen an uptick in anti-migrant violence.
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Authorities have yet to establish whether the deaths are directly linked to the unrest. The identities and nationalities of the deceased are also still unclear.
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Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotze expressed concern over the violence and its repercussions for local residents.
He voiced “deep concern and dismay at the current xenophobic attacks where people have been murdered, homes burned, and families displaced.”
South Africa Faces Renewed Anti-Immigrant Tensions Ahead Of Elections
The Mossel Bay xenophobic attacks are part of a larger pattern of anti-migrant protests reported in areas such as Johannesburg, Durban, and parts of the Eastern Cape in recent weeks.
South Africa has experienced multiple outbreaks of xenophobic violence in past years. Major incidents in 2008 resulted in numerous migrant deaths and displaced thousands, while similar violence emerged again in 2015 and 2021.
Many of these incidents have been attributed to economic pressures and political campaigns focused on anti-immigration rhetoric. The current rise in tensions coincides with political parties ramping up their campaigns ahead of local government elections scheduled for November.
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