Petrochemicals group Sasol has confirmed that it has evacuated 340 South Africans from its operations in Mozambique, following fears of retaliation by local workers amid outbreaks of xenophobic violence against foreign nationals – among them Mozambicans – in South Africa.

The group said in a statement on Friday that it was aware of unrest from employees of service providers working on Sasol projects in Mozambique, but could not confirm cases of violence at its sites, stating that the situation remained calm.

“As a precautionary measure, Sasol and its service providers will facilitate the phased temporary exit of South African nationals back to South Africa. As a result, projects site work had been halted for the time being.

“The operations at our central processing facility, in Temane, and the gas-fired power plant, Central Termica de Ressano Garcia, in Ressano Garcia, are currently running as normal,” outlined spokesperson Alex Anderson.

The group added that Mozambican employees of its service providers had expressed concern around the reported incidents of violence against Mozambicans and other foreign nationals in South Africa and were also protesting about the presence of South African employees working on the various projects in the country.

“We are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all personnel and will continue to facilitate engagement with all parties involved and the relevant authorities to work towards an amicable solution [and] continue to monitor the situation,” he commented.

The Durban central business district and parts of Johannesburg had been rocked with violence against African immigrants in recent days, as locals attacked foreign shop-owners, looted buildings and foreign-owned shops and clashed with police.

The South African government news service on Friday reported that Gauteng police remained on high alert as incidents of looting and attacks on the shops of foreign nationals took place in the province overnight.

Joint operational centres had been activated nationally to respond to the ongoing attacks on foreign nationals, which many believed were triggered by recent remarks by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, in which he said that foreigners should leave South Africa.

In a special address to Parliament on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma condemned the xenophobic attacks, stating that “no amount of frustration or anger can justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops.”

In a post-Cabinet meeting statement, released on Friday, government condemned “in the strongest terms” the recent violence against foreign nationals.

“While noting the issues raised by communities, violence towards another fellow human being can never solve these issues. Rather, it reflects badly on us as a people, going against the very ideals and foundations of our democracy.

“South Africa fought against colonialism and Apartheid alongside fellow Africans so that all humanity [on] our continent should be respected and treated with dignity,” it stated.

Cabinet added that the outbreak of violence would also have far-reaching implications on the country’s continental and international economic and social relations.

Adding its voice, Business Unity South Africa noted its concern about the violence and the “gross” violence of foreign nationals’ human rights.

It stated that, in an environment in which the South African economy was experiencing fiscal constraints and subdued economic growth, “the last thing we need” is a further dent to investor confidence.

“The continued violence against foreign nationals is sending a negative message to the international business community and could potentially affect South African businesses that are operating in the region and the continent.

"While we welcome and support the leadership shown by government in dealing with this matter, we urgently call for an end to the violence and the killing of innocent people,” it noted.

While Busa did not support illegal and undocumented entry of foreign nationals, it urged all South Africans to respect the Constitution and have confidence in the processes facilitated by the country’s political leadership to deal with this matter.