A foreign national has been beaten to death by a mob of about 50 people in Durban, South Africa, amid growing anti-migrant protests and recent outbreaks of violence targeting foreigners.
The incident occurred on Thursday in the city centre, according to the South African police, raising fresh concerns over the safety of foreign nationals as tensions over migration continue to grip parts of the country.
Police said the attack happened on the sidelines of a march, although authorities were unable to establish the purpose of the demonstration or whether it was directly connected to the ongoing anti-migrant protests.
According to a police statement, two men from a group approached the victim, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, as he stood by the roadside.
The situation reportedly escalated when the man was attacked by a large crowd.
“It is further alleged that the victim was then assaulted by a group of about 50 people and he was declared dead at the scene,” the police statement said.
Authorities have yet to identify the victim’s nationality or establish the motive behind the killing. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
The killing comes amid months of demonstrations against foreign nationals in Durban, a major port city in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province that has become a focal point of anti-migrant agitation.
On Wednesday, drivers working with electronic-hailing services staged a march in the same area. The demonstration involved the March and March movement, which has mobilised protests against illegal migration across South Africa in recent months.
The latest attack also follows violent unrest in Durban about two weeks ago, when police struggled to contain two days of rioting and looting directed at foreign nationals.
During the unrest, soldiers were deployed to the city centre to support efforts to restore order as businesses were looted or set ablaze and 14 vehicles were reportedly torched.
The violence heightened fears among migrant communities, many of whom have faced hostility over allegations that foreign nationals are taking jobs, contributing to crime and placing pressure on public services.
The latest killing also recalls a broader wave of xenophobic unrest earlier this year, when weeks of protests and violence forced tens of thousands of nationals from other African countries to flee their homes in South Africa.
South Africa has long struggled with tensions between local communities and migrants from other African countries. Although anti-migrant campaigners frequently cite unemployment, crime and pressure on public resources as reasons for their actions, attacks on foreign nationals have repeatedly raised concerns about mob violence, public safety and the protection of migrant communities.
Thursday’s incident is likely to intensify concerns about the potential for further violence as demonstrations against foreign nationals continue.
Police have not yet disclosed the victim’s identity, nationality or the circumstances that led to the fatal assault. The motive for the killing remains unknown.
