Police are investigating the fatal assault in Durban as months of anti-immigrant protests continue across the country
A foreign national has been beaten to death by a group of around 50 people during a protest march in the South African city of Durban, police said on Thursday. Anti-immigrant demonstrations and violence against migrants have been continuing for months.
According to police, two men broke away from a march in central Durban and approached the victim, who was standing by the roadside. He was then allegedly assaulted by a group of about 50 people and pronounced dead at the scene. The authorities believe the victim was in his late 30s or early 40s, but his identity and nationality have not yet been released.
“Police are following several leads and using all investigative aids to identify possible suspects,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in the statement. Investigators are working to identify those responsible. The police have also not confirmed the purpose of the march.
South Africa has seen repeated protests demanding tougher government action against undocumented migrants. Some demonstrations have turned violent, with foreign nationals reporting attacks and threats.
In June, thousands of migrants, mostly from Malawi, gathered in Durban seeking assistance to return home. They said they feared for their safety after an anti-immigration group demanded that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa by June 30.
In September, South African Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced that the authorities had processed 86,596 foreign nationals for deportation or repatriation between June 14 and August 20. Malawians accounted for the largest group, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
Kubayi also warned that deteriorating border infrastructure had created vulnerabilities “exploited by illegal crossings, smuggling and transnational crime.” Government figures indicated that 90% of those repatriated had entered the country illegally.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned attacks against migrants and announced measures to strengthen border controls and immigration enforcement. He previously stated that “xenophobia, Afrophobia, or any other form of intolerance” has “no place” in South Africa.
The latest killing follows other deadly incidents linked to anti-immigrant unrest in South Africa. In late May, two Mozambican nationals were killed during violent protests in Mossel Bay, where around 50 makeshift homes were also set on fire.
