Mozambique says 5 citizens killed in ‘xenophobic attacks’ in South Africa | Protests News
Title: Mozambican Government Reports Fatal Attacks Amid South Africa Protests
Published: June 2, 2026
At least five Mozambican nationals were killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa over the weekend, according to the Mozambican government. This marks the first fatalities officially linked to the nationwide protests against undocumented immigration, which escalated recently.
Approximately 800 Mozambicans were involved in the violence that erupted in Mossel Bay, a coastal city in the Western Cape province, on Friday, government sources confirmed on Tuesday. The government issued a statement reporting a total of seven deaths, five of which were attributed directly to the xenophobic violence, while two were the result of a vehicle accident during the return journey to Mozambique.
In response to the violence, 300 Mozambicans returned home on Saturday, with more than 500 others currently sheltered in a secure location in the Western Cape. As of June 1, the repatriation process for these individuals has begun.
South African police are investigating the deaths of two men found at an informal settlement in Mossel Bay, where various reports of xenophobic attacks have surfaced. Authorities have not specified whether those deaths are related to the ongoing protests, and it remains unconfirmed what nationalities the deceased men were.
Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotze expressed his “deep concern and dismay” regarding the violence, which has led to murders, arson, and displacement of families. Anti-migrant protests have recently emerged in other cities, including Johannesburg, Durban, and parts of the Eastern Cape.
South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence, with outbreaks recorded since 2008, when numerous migrants lost their lives and thousands were displaced in similar attacks. Additional episodes occurred in 2015 and 2021.
The current rise in anti-immigrant sentiment coincides with upcoming local government elections scheduled for November, as political parties seek to galvanize support in an increasingly tense atmosphere.
