MOSSEL BAY - Police are investigating a wave of deadly violence in Mossel Bay and Kleinmond.
Two Mozambican nationals have been killed in the coastal towns. And an 18-year-old South African also died over the weekend.
The killings are being described as possible xenophobic attacks. Images circulating online show people fleeing for safety.
Earlier, AFP reported that the Mozambican government said five nationals had been killed.
According to the report, the Mozambican government said the violence prompted 300 Mozambicans to return to their country by their own means on Saturday.
But South African police say on Friday, they responded to sporadic scenes of violence on Friday where 55 shacks were set alight in the Asla Park Informal Settlement.
"The police deployments with local fire services and disaster management teams quelled the situation that resulted in the displacement of a number of people," Western Cape police said in a statement.
According to police, on Saturday, 30 May, a body of a 27-year-old man was found with multiple injuries. Shortly thereafter, another man with assault injuries was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.
"It was later determined that the two deceased men were of Mozambican descent."
Police are investigating the murders. No arrests have been made yet.
In another incident, police said on Sunday, 31 May, they were called to the New Rest Informal Settlement where the body of an 18-year-old South African man was found. He had stab wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Five people have been arrested since the violence broke out. Two have been charged with public violence. They appeared in court on Monday and were granted R1,000 bail each.
Three other people are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
"The South African Police Service respects the right of citizens to protest however, those who embark on such action are urged to do so within the confines of the law," police said.
No further incidents have been reported in the area since Monday.