South African police probe mob killing of foreign national in Durban amid anti-immigrant unrest

South African police probe mob killing of foreign national in Durban amid anti-immigrant unrest

The man, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was attacked on the roadside after two men reportedly broke away from a marching group and approached him.

Police in South Africa are investigating the killing of a foreign national who was allegedly beaten to death by a crowd of about 50 people in Durban on Thursday, amid months of anti-immigrant demonstrations that have raised fears of further attacks on migrants.

The man, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was attacked on the roadside after two men reportedly broke away from a marching group and approached him.

“The victim was then assaulted by a group of about 50 people and was declared dead at the scene. Police are following several leads and using all investigative aids to identify possible suspects," KwaZulu-Natal province police said in a statement, without revealing the identity or nationality of the deceased.

The killing comes amid anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa that gathered momentum in April, with demonstrations led by groups demanding tougher immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.

The protests escalated in the weeks leading up to June 30, when thousands of people marched in cities including Durban and Johannesburg. The date had been circulated as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, although the South African government had not issued such an order.

The marches were marred by reports of attacks on foreign nationals and looting of migrant-owned businesses. March and March, one of the groups behind the mobilisation, vowed to continue demonstrating until its demands for mass deportations were met.

Latest Stories

• Somalia president congratulates Liban Ahmed Hassan on election as new Galmudug State leader
• KRA to block clearance of imports without valid digital marine cargo insurance starting November 1
• No new Ebola infections detected in past 24 hours as Kenya prepares to release first contacts from quarantine
• France records first human case of Shamonda virus: What is it and should you be concerned?

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, which monitors political violence and protests, recorded 45 anti-migrant demonstrations between July 1 and 20, with more than 30 per cent of the demonstrations recorded during the period involving reports of looting, arson and threats against foreign nationals.

The violence prompted African governments, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique, to help citizens leave South Africa, while diplomatic tensions grew over the treatment of migrants.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence against migrants while pledging stronger enforcement of immigration and labour laws. In a June 7 address, he acknowledged public concerns about border security, jobs and pressure on public services, but warned against blaming migrants for the country’s economic problems.

South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in the past, including deadly attacks in 2008 that killed at least 62 people and displaced tens of thousands.