Authorities in South Africa have confirmed the tragic deaths of two Mozambican nationals following a series of violent clashes that erupted over the weekend in the coastal town of Mossel Bay.
The unrest began on Friday, triggered by protests directed at undocumented migrants. Demonstrators alleged that these individuals were displacing local residents from employment opportunities, leading to a volatile atmosphere that quickly escalated into violence.
Reports from local media paint a devastating picture of the events, noting that dozens of informal dwellings were set ablaze, with some occupants trapped inside during the attacks.
A discrepancy has emerged between official reports regarding the casualty count. While South African police confirmed two deaths on Tuesday, the government of Mozambique issued a statement late Monday claiming a total of seven citizens had perished. According to the Mozambican government, five were victims of xenophobic attacks, while another two died in a road accident while attempting to travel back to Mozambique.
If the higher death toll is verified, these events would represent the first fatalities in a recent surge of anti-migrant protests that have swept through various regions of South Africa in recent weeks, raising significant concerns over the safety of migrant communities and regional stability.
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South African police confirm Mozambicans killed in weekend violence
cgtn.com
