Trucks and buses bearing South African number plates were reportedly stoned near the Ressano Garcia border post on Friday in retaliation to the xenophobic violence currently gripping South Africa.

At least eight people have been killed in the past week as attacks on foreign nationals spreads across the country.

It was reported on Friday that an Intercape bus had decided to turn back before reaching Maputo. Witnesses in Mozambique said they had seen rioters stone and break windows of another bus ahead of them. It was not clear whether that bus made it to the border or also turned back.

Also on Friday Trans African Concessions (TRAC) said in a statement it had been alerted to the situation by several motorists who had contacted its 24-hour Helpdesk, after border officials allegedly prohibited them from crossing the border, citing their own safety.

Several embassies in Maputo have issued warnings advising their national citizens to postpone road travel to South Africa until the situation on both sides of the Ressano Garcia border stabilises. The American embassy said it had received multiple reports of violence near the border crossing at Ressano Garcia. Reports of barricades being erected in the streets on either side of the border could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Sasol has temporarily evacuated 340 South African workers from its operations in Mozambique as a precautionary measure. This as thousands of Zimbabweans and Malawian’s living in South Africa are being bussed home.