Migrants Flee South Africa After Deadly Mob Violence
Hundreds of foreign nationals mostly from Malawi and Mozambique have sought safety in community halls along South Africa’s southern coastline after mobs went door to door telling them to leave the country. Many spent nights in the bush or mountains before reaching the centres in towns such as Gansbaai, Kleinmond and Stanford.
The violence escalated at the weekend in Mossel Bay where 55 shacks were set ablaze. South African police confirmed that two Mozambican men aged 27 and 43 died from assault injuries in an informal settlement there. Mozambique authorities said five of their citizens were killed directly in the attacks while two more died in a road accident during flight bringing the total to seven. Around 300 Mozambicans crossed back home on their own with hundreds more expected to follow.
These are the first deaths linked to recent protests by fringe groups that accuse undocumented foreign nationals of fuelling crime and taking scarce jobs. One such group set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to depart and small bands carrying whips, sticks, clubs and axes have been reported enforcing the order in several areas.
Thomas Vincent Baloyi a 32 year old Mozambican who has lived in South Africa for nearly 16 years working in construction and gardening said the mob told him he did not belong. “They just chased us away like dogs that is unfair because actually I am a human being. We just stayed in the bush until six in the morning,” he told reporters in Gansbaai about 110 kilometres southeast of Cape Town. He had shown his documents but they were ignored.
In Gansbaai local councillor Msa Nomatiti said more than 500 people fled their homes on Monday. He alleged some groups searching for foreign nationals were accompanied by police and that some victims lost passports during beatings and evictions. Government officials later assisted with documentation and voluntary repatriations. At a small mosque in the town around 50 people shared one toilet and a single tap while huddling over buckets of food.
Similar scenes unfolded in Kleinmond where nearly 100 mostly Malawian nationals sheltered in a community hall. Michael Markson a 31 year old Malawian said landlords ordered non South Africans out on Saturday. “So we came out in the night hours we went to the bush. There is a mountain up there we slept there. They are taking pangas dangerous tools,” he said his eyes bloodshot. In Stanford Talibo Mbewe said thieves had already taken everything from his home yet added it was better to return empty handed than lose his life.
Ghana has already flown 300 of its citizens home with hundreds more due this weekend. Nigeria has announced emergency repatriation flights for its nationals who feel unsafe.
This episode fits a recurring pattern. Official records show expanded unemployment stood at 43.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026 with more than 8.1 million people out of work according to Statistics South Africa. Estimates place the number of foreign residents at around three million many from neighbouring countries. Similar outbreaks in 2008 left 62 people dead and displaced thousands while later waves in 2015 and 2019 followed the same script of grievances over resources and security.
South African police are investigating the deaths and have urged calm while home governments coordinate returns. The events highlight competing claims: some residents point to pressure on jobs and services while affected communities and rights monitors describe scapegoating and vigilante action amid structural economic challenges. Authorities stress that legal processes must prevail over ultimatums.