Two Mozambican nationals have been killed in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, according to authorities, as tensions over migration and public protests continue to rise in parts of the country.
South African police confirmed the deaths of the two men, aged 27 and 43, on Saturday, although they did not immediately establish a motive. An investigation is currently underway.
Earlier, the Mozambican government stated that five of its citizens had been killed as a result of what it described as xenophobic attacks. However, South African authorities have not confirmed that classification, stressing that inquiries are ongoing.
Police said they issued a clarification on Tuesday in an effort to “set the record straight” amid conflicting reports from both countries.
The incident comes after a wave of unrest in the Western Cape region, where violence erupted on Friday in the KwaNonqaba settlement. During the unrest, more than 50 informal dwellings were reportedly set on fire.
Authorities have since arrested five individuals in connection with the arson attacks.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic during the violence. One Mozambican resident, Dolinda Mabunda, told local media that she and her family were trapped inside their home when it was set ablaze.
“They said we should leave or we’ll get hurt,” she said, adding that they escaped with only what they could carry.
In a separate incident, South African police also reported that an 18-year-old man was stabbed to death in what is believed to have been a failed robbery attempt. No arrests have been made in that case.
The Mozambican government further claimed that around 800 of its nationals were affected by recent violence, with approximately 300 returning home and 500 more expected to follow. It also confirmed that two people died in a road accident during the movement of displaced individuals.
Maputo warned that the situation could deteriorate further, citing ongoing instability in affected communities.
South Africa has in recent weeks seen protests calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, with demonstrators accusing undocumented migrants of placing pressure on public services and being linked to rising crime levels. Authorities have acknowledged the protests but have not confirmed widespread attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Several African countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, have issued travel advisories urging their citizens in South Africa to remain cautious. Ghana has also reportedly evacuated hundreds of its nationals due to safety concerns.
According to official estimates, South Africa hosts more than three million foreign nationals, representing about five percent of the population, though the number of undocumented migrants is believed to be significantly higher.
A protest group known as March and March has reportedly set a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country by June 30, ahead of local elections scheduled later this year.
Xenophobia has long been a sensitive and recurring issue in South Africa, with occasional outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals raising concerns across the continent and beyond.
