South African police confirm 2 Mozambicans killed in weekend violence

Xinhua
02 Jun 2026, 21:15 GMT+10

CAPE TOWN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- South African police said on Tuesday that two Mozambican nationals were killed after violence erupted in a coastal town in the Western Cape Province during the weekend.

Unrest broke out on Friday in Mossel Bay, a port town on South Africa's southern coast about 380 km east of Cape Town, where dozens of shacks were set alight.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the bodies of two men were found with assault-related injuries in KwaNonqaba, a township in Mossel Bay, in the early hours of Saturday.

"It was later determined that the two deceased men, aged 27 and 43, were of Mozambican descent. While investigations into the murders continue, no arrests have been effected yet," said the SAPS.

The statement came a day after Mozambique's government press office said five of its citizens had been killed in what it described as "xenophobic attacks" in South Africa, a claim South African police did not confirm.

"When marchers/protesters engage in violent acts, including incitement of violence, police will not hesitate to act decisively," the police said, calling on those who embark on protests to do so within the confines of the law.

"Police deployments remain on high alert in the area in efforts to restore calm and order. No further incidents have been reported in the area since Monday," it added.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.

More Information

International

Section

After Israel's Lebanon incursion, Iran stops indirect talks with US

DUBAI, U.A.E.: Iran has stopped indirect talks with the United States after Israel ordered its troops to move deeper into Lebanon to...

China’s Coast Guard conducts ‘law enforcement’ patrols east of Taiwan

BEIJING/TAIPEI: China's Coast Guard said on June 1 that it carried out law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan. This was...

Canada’s citizenship rules encourage Americans to look there

TORONTO, Canada: Although relations between the U.S. and Canada have become strained under President Donald Trump, new data shows that...

Judge rules Kennedy Center board acted illegally, adding Trump’s name

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal judge ruled this week that President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center illegally. The...

Newark airport dispute risks major hit to US tourism

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. travel industry is warning that any move to halt the processing of international passengers and cargo at...

AUKUS nations to partner on unmanned undersea vehicles by 2027

SINGAPORE: The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are working together to build unmanned underwater vehicles under their...

South Africa

Section