Five Mozambicans killed in South African xenophobic violence, Maputo reports
via SeneNews2 min read
The government of Maputo has reported that five Mozambican nationals were killed in xenophobic violence in South Africa over the weekend. This makes Mozambique the first foreign government to confirm fatalities linked to the recent wave of anti-immigrant protests and actions. Approximately 800 Mozambicans were affected by the violence that erupted in the port city of Mossel Bay on Friday. According to a statement released by Maputo on Monday evening, seven Mozambicans died, with five deaths directly resulting from xenophobic attacks and two from a car accident while returning to Mozambique. The situation prompted 300 Mozambicans to return home independently on Saturday, and the remaining 500 have since found refuge in a safe location in the Western Cape province, with their repatriation already underway. On Sunday, South African police stated they were investigating the deaths of two men in a Mossel Bay township, a city about 400 kilometers east of Cape Town, where xenophobic violence was reported. However, the South African police had not linked these deaths to the violence or clarified the nationality of the two victims. Mayor Dirk Kotze, however, expressed "deep concern and dismay at the xenophobic violence that led to the murders of people, burned houses, and displaced families." The region has experienced anti-immigrant demonstrations similar to gatherings observed in recent weeks in Johannesburg, Durban, and the Eastern Cape province, ahead of local elections in Novembe
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