28-05-2025
Over 500 foreign nationals flee Valencia amid deadly violence
More than 500 foreign nationals fled the Valencia community near Addo in the Eastern Cape after violent clashes killed three foreign nationals.
The violence followed the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Juanne September in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Speaking to Daily Maverick , Juanne's father, Gerald September, said his son worked as an operator at a local fruit packhouse.
'He worked late on Friday. He didn't go out much, but his brother convinced him to join them at the tavern,' he said.
According to September, a fight broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Some community members said the altercation started over a game of pool and involved a migrant labourer who was not a foreign national.
Juanne reportedly tried to intervene, but a man with a knife chased him through the streets.
'He was shouting for help. He jumped into someone's yard and begged them to help him,' said September. His cousin, Shandre Adonis, was also stabbed during the incident.
Community members said anger erupted after police released one of the murder suspects.
On Sunday 25 May, residents retaliated by killing three foreign nationals living in Valencia. Authorities have not released their identities.
Gerald September said the community had lived peacefully with migrant workers for years. 'This year, bad people came with the workers. Now we've decided we don't want one of them here anymore,' he said.
Valencia lies in the Sundays River Valley, a key citrus-producing region.
Thousands of migrant workers, most of them foreign nationals, travel there every year to help with the harvest. Many rent shacks or flats in the area during the season.
Following the outbreak of violence, hundreds of foreign nationals fled Valencia.
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers stepped in to assist those displaced.
'Three foreign nationals were brutally murdered after the death of a local person, sparking xenophobic attacks,' said Ali Sablay from the organisation.
'Foreign nationals received 24-hour notice to leave Addo. Many escaped with only the clothes on their backs.'
Sablay confirmed that more than 500 foreign nationals sought refuge at the local police station.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Disaster Management team, SAPS, and local businesses called Gift of the Givers to help provide emergency relief. Situation Remains Volatile
The area remains tense as police monitor the situation.
Authorities have not confirmed any arrests in connection with the xenophobic attacks.
The community continues to mourn Juanne September, while displaced foreign nationals face uncertainty and fear.
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