South African police are investigating the murder of a foreign national in Pietermaritzburg, near Durban, where hundreds of Malawians have flocked to seek repatriation amid fears of xenophobic attacks.
A 29-year-old Malawian man was attacked and killed after a protest in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, a local councilor confirmed to AFP on Tuesday. The victim's family identified the body, according to councilor Suraya Reddy. Police said they could not confirm the nationality until "authorities of the home country" are notified.
The government of Malawi said it was investigating reports that one of its citizens had been killed. Police said a mob attacked the man, who fled to an informal settlement but then "slipped into the river." The body was found in a river bend with wounds to the head and mouth. A murder case has been opened and circumstances are being investigated.
South Africa is tightening security nationwide ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant protest groups, demanding that undocumented foreigners leave. These small but organized groups have issued an ultimatum for undocumented migrants from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique to leave the country or face consequences—a demand with no legal basis.
Hundreds of Malawians have gathered at a center in Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province since Friday to seek repatriation. Weeks of xenophobic attacks have left at least two people dead and several African nations have sent planes to repatriate thousands of their citizens.
This is not the first time violence against foreigners and foreign-owned businesses has occurred in South Africa. More than 60 people were killed in anti-immigrant riots in 2008, with further waves of violence in 2015 and 2016. In 2019, armed mobs attacked foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, killing at least 12 people.
Tensions are rising as political parties campaign ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4. During voter registration last weekend, gunmen shot dead four people linked to political parties.
