Five Mozambicans killed in Mossel Bay xenophobic attacks

At least five Mozambican nationals were killed in a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa over the weekend, according to a statement from the Mozambican government. The attacks, centered in the coastal city of Mossel Bay, have prompted a large-scale repatriation effort for hundreds of affected citizens.

The violence erupted on Friday in Mossel Bay, located approximately 380 kilometers east of Cape Town. The Mozambican government stated that around 800 of its nationals were affected by the unrest. In total, seven Mozambican citizens died; five fatalities were a direct result of the attacks, while two others died in a road accident while attempting to return to Mozambique. South African police, however, have only confirmed the deaths of two Mozambican men, aged 27 and 43, from assault-related injuries in an informal settlement attached to Mossel Bay. Authorities also reported the death of an 18-year-old South African man who was stabbed under unclear circumstances.

The attacks have included arson and the destruction of property, with local reports indicating dozens of shacks were set alight, some while occupants were still inside. One Mozambican national, Dolinda Mabunda,...