South African police investigate killing of foreign national by crowd

South African police said on Thursday they were investigating the killing of ​a foreign national by a crowd ‌of about 50 people in the city of Durban.

The South African Police Service said in a post ​on X that the victim, thought ​to be in his late 30s or ⁠early 40s, was beaten by the ​crowd and declared dead at the scene

A group ​of people had been marching in central Durban when two men appeared to break away and approach ​the victim, after which he was assaulted ​by about 50 people, police said

Police did not give ‌the ⁠victim’s nationality and said the motive for the killing was unknown

The incident follows months of anti-migrant protests in South Africa, some ​of which have ​turned ⁠violent and drawn international criticism, prompting thousands of migrants from elsewhere ​in Africa to flee affected communities

Earlier ​this ⁠month, anti-migrant protests in Durban and Johannesburg’s Soweto township turned violent, with foreign-owned businesses looted and ⁠vehicles ​set alight after demonstrations against ​the processing of asylum applications at a refugee reception ​centre.