Mozambique Repatriates 500 Nationals After 5 Die in South Africa Attacks
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
Mozambique Repatriates 500 Nationals After 5 Die in South Africa Attacks
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 2
More than 500 Mozambicans sheltered in South Africa’s Western Cape are being repatriated after Maputo said five citizens were killed in weekend xenophobic attacks in Mossel Bay; 300 had already returned home on Saturday.
South African police have officially linked only two Mozambican deaths to the violence, saying both men were assaulted in an informal settlement, while Mozambique said two other reported deaths were from a road accident during the flight home.
Mossel Bay unrest erupted after allegations that undocumented migrants were being hired by construction companies; local reports said about 55 shacks were burned and a South African teenager was also found stabbed to death.
The violence is part of a wider anti-migrant surge that has pushed Ghana to evacuate about 300 citizens, prompted Nigeria to plan repatriations, and led several African governments to warn nationals in South Africa.
South Africa has faced repeated xenophobic waves since 2008, and the latest flare-up comes as parties compete for support ahead of November local government elections.
Can South Africa's new immigration reforms prevent the nation from sliding into further xenophobic chaos?
With conflicting death tolls and motives, what is the truth behind the Mossel Bay killings?
Xenophobic Unrest in Mossel Bay, 2026: South Africa’s Crisis of Anti-Migrant Violence and Its Regional Impact
Overview
In late May 2026, South Africa experienced a sharp escalation of anti-migrant sentiment, leading to violent unrest in Mossel Bay. This outbreak was part of a broader wave of anti-migrant protests spreading across the country, including major cities like Johannesburg and Durban. The situation in Mossel Bay quickly became deadly, with killings officially linked to the latest surge of protests targeting illegal migrants. The official acknowledgment of fatalities highlighted the severity of the violence and its direct connection to rising xenophobic demonstrations, marking a critical moment in South Africa’s ongoing crisis.