South African police have launched an investigation into the killing of a foreign national who was allegedly beaten to death by a crowd of approximately 50 people in the coastal city of Durban.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said Thursday that the victim, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was assaulted during an incident involving a group of demonstrators marching through central Durban.
According to police, two men appeared to break away from the procession and approach the victim before a larger crowd joined the attack.
The man sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
Authorities have not disclosed the victim’s nationality, and the circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation. Police said the motive had yet to be established.
The killing comes amid heightened tensions over immigration in South Africa, where demonstrations against undocumented migration and the processing of asylum applications have intensified in recent months.
Some protests have escalated into violence, including attacks on foreign-owned businesses and the destruction of property.
Earlier in October, demonstrations in Durban and Johannesburg’s Soweto township turned violent, with shops looted and vehicles set ablaze following protests against asylum processing at a refugee reception centre.
The unrest has raised concerns over public safety and the treatment of foreign nationals, while immigration enforcement and access to public services remain contentious political issues.
South African authorities have faced growing pressure to address immigration-related grievances while preventing violence and ensuring that criminal acts are investigated.
Police have not announced any arrests in connection with the Durban killing.
