A foreign national has been beaten to death by a group of about 50 people during a protest march in Durban, South Africa as anti immigrant tensions continue to escalate across the country.
Police said on Thursday that the victim, believed to be in his 30s or early 40s, was standing beside a road in Durban’s city centre when the group approached and assaulted him. Authorities have not disclosed his nationality or confirmed what the protest was about. Investigators are working to identify those involved in the killing.
The incident comes amid months of growing hostility towards migrants, particularly those accused by protesters of living in South Africa without valid immigration documents. Demonstrations demanding government action have repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, with some protests turning violent.
South Africa, one of Africa’s leading economies, attracts migrants from across the continent. However, high unemployment, pressure on public services and concerns about undocumented immigration have contributed to tensions in some communities.
Durban, the country’s third largest city, has emerged as a focal point for anti immigrant demonstrations. In June, thousands of migrants, many from Malawi, gathered in the city seeking assistance to return home after reporting fears of violence following demands that undocumented foreigners leave the country.
Other countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique and Malawi, have reported that their citizens were killed in attacks linked to anti immigrant unrest. South African authorities have disputed some accounts, saying certain deaths were connected to criminal activity rather than protests.
The unrest has also triggered a significant movement of migrants out of South Africa. Tens of thousands have reportedly left in recent months, with some citing fears for their safety, while authorities say others were deported for lacking valid documentation.
Violence linked to immigration has also affected Johannesburg, where vehicles were set alight and shops looted in Soweto following a court ruling that made it easier for foreign nationals to apply for asylum.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned anti immigrant violence while acknowledging longstanding weaknesses in border management. Official government figures put the number of foreign nationals in South Africa at approximately 2.4 million, within a population of about 62 million.
The latest killing has renewed concerns about migrant safety and the potential for further violence as authorities face pressure to address immigration challenges while protecting residents and foreign nationals.
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