The Mozambican government has condemned a wave of anti-migrant violence in South Africa after at least five of its citizens were killed during attacks linked to growing tensions over undocumented immigration.

According to authorities in Maputo, the violence erupted in the South African town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province, where hundreds of Mozambican nationals were caught up in unrest that forced many to flee for safety.

Government officials confirmed that seven Mozambicans lost their lives during the weekend incidents. Five deaths were directly attributed to xenophobic attacks, while two others occurred in a road accident as victims attempted to return home.

The attacks have prompted an emergency repatriation effort. More than 300 Mozambicans reportedly returned home over the weekend using private means, while over 500 others have been sheltered in secure locations pending transportation back to Mozambique.

South African police have launched investigations into reported killings in informal settlements around Mossel Bay. Local authorities have also expressed concern over reports of homes being torched, families displaced and migrant communities targeted during the unrest.

The latest violence has reignited concerns about recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a country that has periodically witnessed tensions between local communities and foreign nationals seeking employment and economic opportunities.