South African police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a foreign national in Pietermaritzburg, as fears of xenophobic attacks continue to grow across parts of the country.
The incident comes amid rising tensions linked to protests against undocumented migrants, prompting hundreds of foreign nationals, particularly Malawians, to seek repatriation from South Africa.
According to police, the victim was attacked by a mob after a protest in Pietermaritzburg, a city in KwaZulu-Natal Province, on Friday. The man reportedly fled to a nearby informal settlement before slipping into a river while trying to escape.
Police said his body was later discovered on a riverbank with injuries, including a cut to the head and wounds around the mouth.
“A case of murder has been opened, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” police said in a statement.
Local councillor Suraya Reddy identified the deceased as a 29-year-old Malawian national, stating that his family had confirmed his identity. However, police said they could not officially disclose his nationality until authorities in his home country had been notified.
The Malawian government has since announced that it is investigating reports that one of its citizens was killed during the unrest.
The killing has heightened concerns among migrant communities in South Africa. Several hundred Malawians have reportedly gathered at a repatriation centre in Pietermaritzburg since Friday, seeking assistance to return home due to fears for their safety.
An AFP reporter at the scene observed a significant police presence around the facility on Tuesday as authorities monitored the situation.
The latest unrest follows weeks of protests targeting undocumented migrants in different parts of South Africa. At least two people have reportedly died during related demonstrations in the southern town of Mossel Bay.
Tensions have also been fueled by citizen-led groups that have issued an unofficial demand for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30. Although the ultimatum has no legal standing, it has contributed to growing anxiety among foreign nationals living in the country.
Reports indicate that thousands of migrants from countries including Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique have already departed South Africa in response to the threats and uncertainty.
The current wave of anti-migrant sentiment comes ahead of South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for November 4, raising concerns about the potential politicisation of immigration issues.
South Africa has experienced several deadly outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years. In 2008, riots targeting foreign nationals claimed the lives of at least 62 people. Another major wave of attacks in 2019 saw mobs target foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, leaving at least 12 people dead, including 10 South African citizens.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue, while regional governments closely monitor the safety of their nationals living in South Africa.
