Maputo, July 7, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique has taken in 1,363 of its own citizens repatriated from South Africa following incidents of xenophobia, and 6,156 Malawians have entered the country in transit, having been affected by the same violence, it was announced on Tuesday.
“Since the start of the xenophobic attacks, we have repatriated 1,363 Mozambican citizens, with 625 arriving in the country between 1 July and 4 July. The government is working to ensure the continuity of our fellow citizens’ employment, and we are currently mapping out their professions,” said the spokesperson for the cabinet, Inocêncio Impissa, speaking to journalists at the end of Tuesday's meeting in Maputo.
According to the spokesperson, of the total number of returnees, 809 stated that they had a profession, of whom 363 were bricklayers, 102 craftspeople, 77 domestic workers and 87 painters, as well as electricians, carpenters, tilers and plumbers, each numbering fewer than 20 citizens.
The government has stated that the process of certifying the professional qualifications of repatriated citizens abroad is currently underway under labour mobility agreements with countries such as Portugal and the United Arab Emirates.
Mozambique's president said on 4 July that the government was considering integrating victims of xenophobia into the country's mega-projects and into other job opportunities abroad, within the framework of international cooperation, to resolve the employment problem.
The government spokesperson also highlighted the escalation of attacks in various provinces of South Africa, with incidents characterised by burglaries and arson attacks on homes, looting, physical assaults, intimidation and the forced expulsion of foreign nationals from their communities.
In the same statement, Impissa said that the country had received, in transit, at least 6,156 Malawian citizens who were subsequently taken to Tete province, in the centre of the country, on the border between Malawi and Mozambique.
“The foreign minister continues to work with the Malawian embassy in Mozambique to improve the coordination of transport and assistance for Malawian citizens entering Mozambique whilst in transit to that country,” said Impissa.
In response to the incidents, Mozambique’s government has stepped up consular assistance and repatriation operations for the affected citizens, whilst continuing to monitor the situation through its diplomatic and consular missions in South Africa.
South African anti-immigration protesters have issued an ultimatum, demanding that all foreigners leave the country by 30 June. In recent days, the South African Government has announced restrictions on migration policies and strengthened security measures, with Mozambique today receiving a further 65 repatriated nationals.
On 1 July, the Mozambican President acknowledged the escalation of xenophobia in South Africa, following violent incidents involving Mozambican citizens, and said the logistical arrangements were in place for the repatriation and reception of the victims.
At least 283 Mozambicans were assaulted, saw their homes set alight, and had their property vandalised during the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Mozambique’s government reported on the same day, as it seeks to provide assistance and facilitate repatriation.
The following day, the president of Mozambique said that 38 Mozambican citizens legally resident in South Africa had experienced attacks and had to leave their homes because of xenophobia.
Mozambique has around 300,000 citizens living in South Africa. The Presidency stated in a press release that “thousands” had already returned to the country amid the violence.
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