A Mozambique beach bar has addressed claims that South African tourists were chased away by locals, clarifying that a viral video of a confrontation at the venue has been misinterpreted.
Pinto’s Beach Bar in Ponta do Ouro issued a statement following the widespread circulation of footage showing a heated exchange between South African holidaymakers and a Mozambican local.
The establishment said the incident, which occurred on July 4, was not motivated by nationality and did not amount to Mozambicans expelling South Africans from the venue, as suggested by some social media posts.
“We wish to make it clear that this interpretation does not reflect the facts witnessed by the management and staff of Pinto’s Beach Bar,” the bar said.
According to management, a group of South African citizens arrived at the venue at about 4pm, seeking to speak to management. The establishment alleged that some members of the group became confrontational, “raising their voices, banging on the counter, and making threats towards members of our staff”.
The bar said a Mozambican woman present at the venue intervened and called for calm and respect, leading to a verbal exchange between Mozambican and South African patrons.
The viral footage captures only part of the confrontation. In the video, South Africans can be heard insisting they were in Mozambique legally. One woman says they “did not swim here”, while another remarks, “You guys are our helpers at home,” prompting laughter from the Mozambican local.
However, the footage does not show the start of the altercation, making it unclear what triggered the dispute.
Pinto’s Beach Bar said the confrontation escalated into acts of vandalism, including the removal of promotional material from its windows, and disrupted business operations.
“Several customers left the premises due to safety concerns, causing financial losses to the business,” the statement said.
The establishment said order was eventually restored after intervention by the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), who escorted those involved from the premises.
Management also claimed there had been tensions the previous evening after the same South African individuals alleged that a mobile phone had been stolen.
“Although the available footage did not confirm the alleged theft, accusations continued to be directed at people present at the venue, contributing to an atmosphere of instability,” the statement said.
Rejecting accusations of xenophobia, the bar said it welcomed customers of different nationalities and remained committed to “respect, equality, hospitality, and peaceful coexistence”.
“The management of Pinto’s Beach Bar categorically rejects any form of xenophobia, discrimination, or incitement to hatred between peoples,” the statement said.
The venue added that it regretted the incident had been linked to broader tensions over alleged xenophobic incidents in South Africa and stressed that the dispute stemmed from the behaviour of those involved rather than their nationality.
“We reiterate that the incident resulted from the conduct of those involved at that specific moment and not from their nationality,” management said.
