LIMPOPO – The death of a 19-year-old Limpopo-born man during anti-immigrant unrest in Mossel Bay has reignited concerns about xenophobia and the growing threat of mob violence in South Africa.

Nhlamulo Sambo, originally from Giyani, was killed on May 31 in KwaNonqaba amid violent protests that left communities shaken and forced residents to flee their homes.

His family maintains that he was a South African citizen and believes he was mistakenly identified as a foreign national because he spoke Xitsonga.

The incident has once again highlighted how xenophobic violence can extend beyond its intended targets, affecting South Africans who are perceived to be outsiders because of their language, accent or background.

While concerns around unemployment, crime and poor service delivery continue to fuel tensions in some communities, experts and advocacy groups have warned that violence directed at migrants often fails to address the underlying socio-economic challenges facing residents.

Recent years have seen repeated outbreaks of anti-foreigner sentiment across parts of South Africa, with community frustrations often directed at migrants and businesses owned by foreign nationals.

Rights groups have consistently warned that such violence creates an environment where innocent people can be targeted based on appearance, language or assumptions about their nationality.

Local authorities in Mossel Bay confirmed that at least two people died during the unrest. Police are investigating the killings and have opened murder cases.