Mob Beats Foreign National to Death in South Africa’s Durban

A mob of about 50 people has allegedly beaten a foreign national to death in Durban, South Africa, amid rising anti-migrant tensions in the city.

Police confirmed the incident occurred on Thursday in the city centre, during a march whose purpose was not immediately established.

According to the police, two men from the group approached the victim, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, while he was standing by the roadside.

The victim was subsequently attacked by a larger group, with officers confirming that he died at the scene.

“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,” a police statement said.

Authorities have not disclosed the victim’s nationality or established the motive for the attack.

The killing comes amid months of protests against foreign nationals in Durban, a major South African port city that has become a focal point of anti-migrant sentiment.

Violence, looting and unrest erupted in the city two weeks ago following an anti-migrant march, prompting the deployment of soldiers to central Durban as police struggled to contain the situation.

During the unrest, 14 vehicles were set alight, while several businesses were looted or torched.

The latest incident also follows a demonstration involving e-hailing service drivers in the same area on Wednesday. The protest was associated with the March and March movement, which has organised demonstrations against illegal migrants across South Africa for several months.

The violence in Durban echoes earlier protests that reportedly forced tens of thousands of nationals from other African countries to flee South Africa earlier this year.

The latest killing adds to concerns over the safety of foreign nationals as anti-migrant protests and tensions continue in parts of the country.