Sasol and Kentz workers in Mozambique evacuated
Some are already on their way home, while others were moved to a secure camp.
The xenophobic violence in the country is having a serious ripple effect in the rest of Africa.
According to a source, several international companies in Mozambique said that their South African workers were evacuated and were leaving the country in fear of retaliation after the violence against foreigners in South Africa.
Among these are Sasol that manages a project in Mozambique, as well as the South African construction company Kentz that was hired by Brazil’s Vale for construction work at a coal mine in Tete.
This information was released by Folha de Maputo on Thursday.
A source told Folha de Maputo that all South African workers from Kentz in Tete were “chased” or had chosen to return home, as well as those working for Moma Mining in Nampula.
Sasol spokesman Mr Alex Anderson said work had stopped at its gas plant in Inhambane after fears that South African staff would be attacked.
Sources also said Kentz Engineering and DRA Engineering had evacuated staff from coal mines in Tete.
Mr Paul Youens said on behalf of Kentz: “The safety and security of our employees are paramount and we already have plans in place to mitigate any risks to our project teams.”
A source at a Tete mine said: “The moment management heard of the threats, which for now are verbal, all South Africans were evacuated.
“They have been moved to secure camps.
“Just as South Africans are upset that foreigners are getting work in South Africa, Mozambicans are too,” he said.
Mozambique Media Online reported a “bad environment” between Mozambican and South African workers in Tete and Inhambane, with South Africans leaving various work sites.
Mr Anderson said Sasol was “taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all personnel.”
