By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
A deadly wave of anti-migrant violence in South Africa has sparked a diplomatic and factual dispute between regional neighbors. The government of Mozambique announced that five of its citizens were killed in what it described as xenophobic attacks over the weekend. Government officials in Maputo stated that seven Mozambican citizens died in total after violence broke out on Friday in Mossel Bay, a southern coastal town about 380 kilometers east of Cape Town.
According to the Mozambique government’s media office, five deaths were “a direct consequence of the xenophobic attacks and the other two as a result of a road accident, when they were travelling in a private vehicle on their way back to Mozambique.” The state alleged that 800 of its citizens had been “victims of xenophobic attacks” during the unrest.
South African authorities offered a conflicting account to set the record straight. South African police confirmed only that two Mozambican nationals, aged 27 and 43, were killed in an informal settlement attached to Mossel Bay. Both men died from multiple injuries from assault. Investigators did not immediately give a motive for the killings.
Local Casualties and Arson in Western Cape
The violence in the Western Cape province also claimed the life of a local resident. In the early hours of Sunday, South African police in the same area found the body of an 18-year-old South African who had been stabbed to death in unclear circumstances. Authorities later noted the teenager may have been killed in a botched robbery. No arrests have been made for any of the murders.
The fatalities followed a night of severe property destruction. Violent unrest swept through an informal settlement in KwaNonqaba on Friday, where a crowd torched approximately 55 shacks. Some reports indicated dwellings were set on fire while residents were still inside. South African police placed deployments on high alert to restore calm and order. Officials confirmed that five people have been arrested in connection with the arson.
Migrants Recount Terror and Flight
Foreign nationals caught in the Mossel Bay unrest described running for their lives as their homes were targeted. One Mozambican national, Dolinda Mabunda, recounted her escape from the flames. “We were still inside when people started burning down our house,” Mabunda said. “They said we should leave or we’ll get hurt.” She added that she just took what she could and ran.
The fear generated by the attacks has convinced many temporary residents to abandon their lives in South Africa. Another migrant, Silvino Chauque, expressed total devastation after losing all his possessions in the unrest. “I will go back [home] because we are not safe,” Chauque said.
Massive Repatriation Efforts Underway
The violence has triggered an immediate mass exodus from the Western Cape. The Mozambique government reported that 300 Mozambican nationals returned home by their own means on Saturday. The remaining just over 500 citizens were sheltered in a safe location in the Western Cape Province. Officials confirmed the process of their repatriation to Mozambique began on June 1.
Maputo remains highly concerned about the safety of its population remaining across the border. “Given the volatility of the situation… it is expected that the current situation will worsen,” the Mozambican government warned.
Labor Disputes and Vigilante Deadlines
Tensions in Mossel Bay erupted over allegations that construction companies were employing undocumented foreign nationals. South Africa boasts the most industrialized economy on the continent, making it a primary destination for legal and undocumented African workers. However, local fringe groups frequently accuse immigrants of driving up crime and taking jobs from locals.
Protesters also argue that undocumented migrants place severe pressure on public services. In some areas, uniform-wearing anti-migrant movements have gone as far as blocking foreign nationals from accessing healthcare facilities. The latest spike in anti-foreigner sentiment comes as political parties seek support before local government elections in November.
The situation has been exacerbated by the rise of citizen-led organizations operating without official backing. One group called March and March has set an unofficial deadline of June 30 for all undocumented immigrants to leave the country. Vigilante groups have reportedly begun checking the documentation of foreign nationals and forcing small businesses run by non-South Africans to close. The national government has strongly condemned these actions and dismissed online videos of alleged attacks as unverified “fake videos” designed to fuel panic.
South African State Defense and Criminality Stance
South African security forces and government representatives have strongly defended their response to the crisis, actively pushing back against claims of widespread targeting. In official statements aimed at clarifying the narrative, the South African police emphasized that they have not confirmed a xenophobic motive for the Mossel Bay deaths. Law enforcement officials maintain that the incidents are being treated as isolated, serious criminal acts while investigations remain active.
The state maintains that framing every clash between communities as a xenophobic attack oversimplifies complex local criminal dynamics. Government departments reiterate that the deployment of specialized police units demonstrates Pretoria’s commitment to protecting all residents regardless of nationality. While condemning vigilantism, the state defends its sovereign right to enforce immigration laws and protect domestic labor markets from unregulated employment practices.
Regional Panic Prompts Continental Evacuations
The crisis in Mossel Bay is part of a broader wave of anti-immigrant protests sweeping South Africa. The escalating hostility has alarmed governments across the African continent. Ghana evacuated about 300 of its citizens last week due to safety concerns. Nigeria has also announced its own repatriation plans.
Other nations are taking precautionary measures to protect their diaspora. Hundreds of foreign nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia recently sought protection in the eastern port city of Durban. They reported that local residents were going door-to-door ordering them to leave by the end of the month. In response, several countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
## West African Implications and the Ghanaian Response
The unrest has caused significant ripples across West Africa, where leadership circles are monitoring the safety of their economic diaspora. The evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaian citizens highlights growing fears that regional tensions could expand beyond Southern Africa. Policymakers in Accra and Abuja face mounting domestic pressure to protect their citizens from perceived hostility in the south.
Pan-African commentators note that these evacuations test the spirit of continental integration and free movement. The emergency flights back to West Africa underscore an expanding trust deficit between South Africa and its continental peers. Analysts warn that prolonged instability could affect broader trade relationships and security alliances across the African Union.
Historical Precedent and Government Response
Xenophobia is a recurring, deeply entrenched issue in South Africa. The country has experienced repeated waves of deadly anti-immigrant riots over the past decades, often driven by economic frustrations like high unemployment. In 2008, anti-immigrant riots killed 62 people, including 21 South Africans, and displaced thousands. Further deadly outbreaks followed in 2015 and 2016. Official figures indicate South Africa is home to more than three million foreigners, making up about 5% of the population, though millions more are believed to be undocumented.
Mossel Bay’s mayor, Dirk Kotzé, voiced deep concern and dismay at the current xenophobic attacks where people have been murdered, houses burned, and families displaced. The national government has also condemned criminal acts directed at foreign nationals while trying to balance local economic anxieties.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the crisis directly. “We must never give in to violence, xenophobia or vigilanteism,” Ramaphosa told parliament. The president simultaneously emphasized that the government was cracking down on illegal immigration to address public concern.
Balancing Global Human Rights and Local Realities
The escalating crisis presents a delicate challenge for South Africa as it navigates both regional humanitarian responsibilities and severe domestic economic pressures. Human rights organizations argue that scapegoating vulnerable migrant populations fails to address the root systemic causes of local poverty and infrastructure deficits. Conversely, local community leaders maintain that the state must enforce its borders to prevent further strain on overstretched public utilities and job markets. Finding a peaceful resolution remains critical, as the recurring cycle of violence threatens to permanently alter Pretoria’s diplomatic standing across the African continent.
