Anti-migrant violence has erupted again in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban, marking the latest escalation in weeks of unrest that has reportedly killed several foreign nationals and driven more than 200,000 people from the country.
The latest confrontations broke out when around 100 members of the anti-immigration group March and March demonstrated outside a government building where hundreds of undocumented migrants were sheltering, according to AfricaNews.
Most of those at the temporary camp are nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They sought refuge there approximately 13 weeks ago after facing threats and pressure from local groups demanding that they leave South Africa.
Bishop Raphael, a Congolese community leader, said five Congolese nationals, including two children, were injured during the clashes.
He accused demonstrators armed with sticks of attacking the camp and attempting to force their way into the area where the migrants had gathered. Police intervened to separate the two sides and reportedly used stun grenades to disperse the crowds, causing further injuries.
Authorities said the demonstration formed part of a broader campaign against undocumented immigration. Anti-migrant groups had set June 30 as a deadline for irregular migrants to leave South Africa, triggering weeks of threats and violence.
More than 200,000 people have since returned or fled to their countries of origin, including Zimbabwe, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to figures cited in the report.
South African police have confirmed that at least four foreign nationals were killed during the unrest, although foreign governments believe the actual death toll could be higher.
The violence has revived one of South Africa’s most sensitive social and political issues. High unemployment, economic hardship and competition over jobs and public services have contributed to growing hostility toward foreign nationals.
Community leaders and rights organisations have warned that increasingly inflammatory rhetoric could fuel further violence, displacement and attacks against migrants and refugees.
Durban has emerged as one of the principal centres of the recent protests, raising fears that the unrest could spread and place more foreign communities at risk.
