Two men from Mozambique were killed in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, authorities have said.
In an earlier statement, the Mozambican government said five of its nationals had been killed “as a direct consequence of xenophobic attacks”. But the police in South Africa did not give a motive and an investigation is ongoing.
Tensions have been rising in South Africa in recent weeks following protests calling for tougher action against illegal migration. Some African nations say it has resulted in violence against their citizens, which South African authorities have not confirmed.
The deaths of the men aged 27 and 43 on Saturday follows violence in the Western Cape the day before.
In releasing these details, the South African police said on Tuesday that they wanted to “set the record straight”.
In a separate incident, officers said an 18-year-old South African man was stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday, in what was possibly a botched robbery. No arrests have been made.
On Friday, violent unrest swept through a settlement in KwaNonqaba, during which more than 50 shacks were set on fire.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the arson, authorities have said.
While the South African police statement confirmed the killings of the two Mozambican men, Maputo said five of its citizens had been killed.
Credit: bbc.com
