- The Mozambican government confirmed that five of its citizens were killed over the weekend during a surge of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
- Around 800 Mozambican nationals were caught up in the hostile protests that erupted in the southern coastal city of Mossel Bay.
- The violence prompted 300 citizens to flee back home independently, while the remaining 500 displaced victims were placed in safe shelters ahead of official repatriation.
The Mozambican government has announced that five of its citizens were killed in a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks sweeping through South Africa.
Eko Hot Blog reports that according to an official statement from the government press office received on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the fatalities represent the first deaths officially linked to the violent anti-migrant protests currently targeting undocumented foreigners across the country.
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In total, seven Mozambican nationals lost their lives over the weekend; five were killed directly by the attacks, while the remaining two died in a tragic motor accident while attempting to flee back to Mozambique in a private vehicle.
The localized crisis centered around the southern coastal port town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province, where approximately 800 Mozambicans found themselves trapped in the outbreak of violence on Friday.
The hostility forced 300 nationals to immediately head back across the border by their own means on Saturday.
The remaining 500 displaced individuals were moved to temporary safe locations within the province, with formal repatriation procedures initiated on June 1 to safely return them to Mozambique.
While South African local police confirmed they were investigating the deaths of two men at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, they did not immediately link them to the riots or specify their nationalities.
However, area mayor Dirk Kotze expressed deep dismay at the targeted murders, arson attacks, and displacement of families.
South Africa has experienced recurring waves of xenophobic violence since 2008, with notable flare-ups in 2015 and 2021 that are historically driven by deep economic frustrations.
This latest manifestation has closely mirrored anti-migrant demonstrations recently recorded in Johannesburg, Durban, and sections of the Eastern Cape province.
Observers note that the current spike in anti-immigrant tensions is being heavily exacerbated by political parties aggressively seeking grassroots support ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November.
