RismadarVoice Reporters
October 23, 2026
South African police have launched a murder investigation after a foreign national was beaten to death by a mob of approximately 50 people in Durban, amid growing tensions over immigration in the country.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 22, in Durban’s central business district, where a group of people was marching along Dr Pixley kaSeme Street towards Maud Mfusi Street.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, two men reportedly separated from the procession and approached the victim, who was standing beside the road.
A larger group subsequently attacked the man, leaving him with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the victim was believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, but his identity and nationality had not been established publicly.
Investigators have opened a murder case and are examining available evidence, including surveillance footage, to identify those responsible.
Authorities stressed that the motive remained unknown and cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information.
The killing occurred against the backdrop of recurring anti-immigration demonstrations in Durban and other parts of South Africa.
Since June, groups opposing undocumented immigration have organised protests demanding stronger border enforcement and the removal of foreign nationals without valid residency documents.
Some demonstrations have been accompanied by violence, intimidation and looting, raising concerns about the safety of migrant communities.
Nigeria, Mozambique and Malawi have previously raised concerns about attacks affecting their nationals, although South African authorities have disputed the classification of some reported deaths as xenophobic incidents.
The unrest has also prompted some foreign nationals to leave South Africa, while authorities have continued deportation operations targeting undocumented migrants.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence against foreign nationals while acknowledging weaknesses in the country’s immigration and border-control systems.
Government estimates indicate that approximately 2.4 million foreign nationals reside in South Africa, which has a population of about 62 million.
Police have appealed for information that could assist their investigation into Thursday’s killing.
Although the attack occurred during a period of heightened anti-migrant sentiment, investigators have not established whether the victim was targeted because of his nationality.
