KEY POINTS
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Three killed and 10 injured in Addo, Eastern Cape, after retaliatory attacks between locals and foreign nationals sparked by a tavern brawl.
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Underlying tensions over unemployment, resource access, and historical xenophobia fuel recurring violence in the region.
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Authorities deploy extra police, initiate investigations, and convene community dialogues to prevent further escalation.
Clashes erupted in Addo, Eastern Cape, this week, leaving three dead and 10 injured amid escalating tensions between local residents and foreign nationals.
The clashes, described by authorities as “revenge attacks,” began late Sunday, 25 May 2025, following the murder of a South African man outside a tavern in Valencia.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, “community members mobilized and attacked foreign nationals indiscriminately after the initial altercation.” The retaliation allegedly targeted shops and homes owned by migrants, with witnesses reporting chaos in the streets.
By Monday, police had deployed additional units to contain the unrest, which saw four murder cases and ten attempted murder charges opened.
Underlying tensions over resources, unemployment fuel cycle of clashes
The clashes reflect long-standing frustrations in Addo, where unemployment exceeds 40% and competition for scarce resources has strained relations between locals and migrant communities. Sundays River Valley Municipality Mayor Nomvuzo Mkhaliphi acknowledged the tensions, stating, “We understand the economic pressures, but vigilantism cannot replace the rule of law.”
South Africa has grappled with xenophobic clashes for decades, often linked to accusations that foreign nationals “steal jobs” or operate illicit businesses. In 2024, the Human Rights Commission reported over 200 incidents targeting migrants nationwide. Addo, a farming hub reliant on seasonal labor, has seen similar flare-ups in recent years, though none as deadly as this week’s clashes.
Police confirmed the initial murder victim, a 32-year-old local, died during a brawl involving Mozambican and Zimbabwean nationals. Forensic teams are investigating claims that the fight began over a dispute at a spaza shop. “Arrests are imminent, but we urge patience,” Nkohli added, emphasizing that specialized units are analyzing CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
Community leaders and the municipality held an emergency meeting at Valencia Community Hall on Monday, urging calm. “We cannot let anger destroy our unity,” said local councilor Thandeka Qwabe, while migrant representatives called for increased police patrols. Medical NGO Doctors Without Borders treated the injured, including two children caught in crossfire.
The Eastern Cape provincial government has pledged to establish a task force addressing unemployment and migrant integration. Meanwhile, the African Diaspora Forum condemned the violence, warning that “scapegoating foreigners ignores systemic failures in governance and economic policy.”
