Maputo, June 8, 2026 (Lusa) - At least 16 minors are among the 169 Mozambicans repatriated from neighbouring South Africa, victims of xenophobic attacks, the government announced on Sunday, adding that it continues to monitor the situation.
"In this context, the repatriation process of 169 Mozambican citizens, including 16 minors, from the towns of Mossel Bay and Hermanus in the Western Cape Province, is underway. Arrival at the Ressano Garcia border post is expected by the end of Sunday," the government said in a statement released by the Mozambique Information Office (Gabinfo).
According to the document, Mozambique's diplomatic and consular missions in South Africa are continuously monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance to affected citizens.
Incidents involving foreign citizens were reported in Gauteng province during demonstrations in Daveyton, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, although no Mozambicans were reported to have been affected.
The government's information also indicates that, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the Mozambican Consulate in Durban has received reports of concern from members of the Mozambican community regarding the climate of intimidation associated with recent anti-immigration rhetoric.
"South African authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining public order and protecting all communities residing in the country, reaffirming that acts of violence or intimidation against national or foreign citizens will not be tolerated," the statement indicates.
With these 169, added to the 545 who arrived in the country on Tuesday, the number of Mozambican citizens repatriated following xenophobic attacks in neighbouring South Africa rises to 714.
South African protesters gave all foreigners until 30 June to leave the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, according to information previously released by the Mozambican government.
On Monday, Gabinfo reported that more than 800 Mozambicans residing in the city of Mossel Bay, in the South African province of Western Cape, were victims of xenophobic attacks on 29 May, which have already killed nine Mozambicans.
Xenophobic tensions are a recurring problem in South Africa. Numerous immigrant communities have been repatriated by their own countries, such as Mozambique and Nigeria, and South Africa has been the target of international criticism for xenophobia. The most serious incidents in recent times occurred at the end of 2019, with 18 foreigners killed, according to data from Human Rights Watch.
Mozambique has approximately 300,000 citizens residing in South Africa. The Presidency said in a statement that "thousands" have already returned to the country amid the violence.
The Mozambican opposition party Renamo demanded a firm stance from the South African government against xenophobic attacks, to reduce losses suffered by Mozambicans, warning that it could release a list of assets belonging to South African citizens in Mozambique.
The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the governing party) also earlier advocated valuing ancestral heritage to combat xenophobic attacks in South Africa, encouraging the government to pursue patriotic measures to seek solutions with the neighbouring country.
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