The Mozambican government has confirmed that seven of its citizens have died amid a fresh wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa, where anti-immigrant sentiments and threats against foreign nationals continue to escalate.
In a statement, the government said five Mozambicans were killed directly in attacks targeting foreign nationals, while two others lost their lives in a road accident as they attempted to flee South Africa and return home.
“We regret to report the deaths of seven Mozambican citizens, five of whom were direct victims of xenophobic attacks and two others as a result of a road accident while traveling back to Mozambique in a private vehicle,” the statement noted.
The fatalities come as growing anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa have forced hundreds of migrants to seek refuge or return to their home countries. Mozambican authorities disclosed that more than 300 of their nationals returned home on May 30, while another 500 have been accommodated at a secure location in the Western Cape pending arrangements for their repatriation.
According to the government, the returnees will be transported through the Ressano Garcia border post, where food assistance and other emergency support measures have been put in place to facilitate their resettlement.
The latest unrest follows demands by anti-immigrant groups in South Africa for certain categories of foreign nationals to leave the country by June 30, raising concerns about the possibility of further violence and displacement.
South Africa has witnessed recurring episodes of xenophobic violence over the past two decades, with migrants from other African countries often becoming targets. Analysts have linked the attacks to economic challenges, unemployment, competition for jobs and services, as well as political rhetoric surrounding migration.
Mozambique is among the countries most affected by the unrest, given the large number of its citizens residing in South Africa. Estimates indicate that about 300,000 Mozambicans live and work in the neighbouring country, which remains Mozambique’s largest trading partner within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Authorities in Mozambique have continued to monitor the situation while coordinating efforts to ensure the safe return of affected citizens and provide humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the violence.
