By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
A video is circulating all over social media as it shows a group of South African tourists being chased out of a restaurant in Mozambique. According to the posts shared online, the group of South Africans had a confrontation with the restaurant staff
The footage in question appears to show an intense altercation before the tourists leave the restaurant. The reason for the altercation is unknown at this time as well as the circumstances of the incident remains unclear.
Various users of social media have given different accounts of the reasons behind the altercation as some allege that the altercation had been due to a disagreement within the establishment.
Some people on social media have suggested that this could be a response to the anti-illegal immigrants violence and protests in South Africa. Some families had been filmed walking out of restaurants due to pressure from crowds as some had answered back which resulted in arguments escalating.
These altercations follow weeks of civil unrest in South Africa, as groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula have been driving out illegal foreign nationals and in some instances using forms of intimidation against illegal foreign nationals and destroying their businesses.
Mozambican authorities have confirmed that hundreds of their citizens have returned home from South Africa and several citizens of Mozambique had been killed during the civil unrest. The government of Mozambique have raised their concerns publicly about the deaths of their citizens as they describe these attacks as xenophobic.
South Africa is visited by over one million Mozambicans every year as the relationship between the two countries has largely been a close one. Further information regarding the video is expected to surface that will provide some clarity over what transpired during the altercation in the restaurant.
The civil unrest in South Africa has raised concerns for travellers and governments around Africa who maintain crucial ties with South Africa.