XENOPHOBIC UNREST: Mass displacement as anti-immigrant violence explodes in Western Cape

Anti-immigrant protests in parts of the Overberg displaced hundreds of immigrants, many of whom fled their homes and sought shelter in community halls, beaches, and surrounding mountains. Reports of deaths, intimidation and property destruction have heightened concerns over escalating xenophobic violence in the region.

Immigrants in the Overberg fled to the beaches and the mountains over the weekend as protests against immigrants gathered momentum. In Mossel Bay, the deaths of several Mozambican nationals were reported, and dozens of homes were burned. Dozens of families were displaced.

The Mozambican government said five citizens had died in “xenophobic attacks” involving 800 Mozambicans in Mossel Bay at the weekend. But the SAPS has confirmed only two deaths of Mozambique nationals, aged 27 and 43, who were assaulted in an informal settlement in Mossel Bay. About 300 people had decided to return home.

In Kleinmond, hundreds of people staged a march on Sunday morning, demanding that foreigners leave the area. This is the latest in a wave of anti-immigrant protests across the country, led or inspired by March and March.

At 7am on Sunday morning, according to police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, about 500 people gathered to protest. They marched from the taxi rank to Overhills informal settlement, calling on immigrants to leave.

Many had already fled their homes on Saturday, following a meeting between the march organisers and SAPS on Friday night.

When GroundUp arrived at about 2pm on Monday, about 50 people were being sheltered in the community hall. Disaster management officials were assisting them. Many had been forced to leave their belongings behind.

Lado Amido, a Mozambican, said he had spent Friday night and Saturday night on the mountain behind the town.

Grant Cohen, Ward Councillor for Kleinmond in the Overstrand Municipality, said he had heard that some women and children were still hiding in the dunes near the beach. People had left their houses in fear, he said.

“We’re trying to make our space available for them as a safe place.”

Cohen said most of the group in the hall had said they wanted to return to their home countries.

“On Saturday evening, foreigners started packing their things and going to the bush,” said a Malawian man, who was sitting at the beach and did not want to give his name. He said the intimidation had started on Saturday. “They started going door to door. If they found someone, they threatened to beat him or do something terrible,” he said.

“We came from our countries because there’s poverty. We thought we c