News24 | Foreign national beaten to death in Durban CBD

A foreign national was beaten to death in Durban’s CBD on Thursday morning, as anti-immigration protests continued in parts of the city.

Tsoanelo Sefoloko/GroundUp

• A foreigner was beaten to death in the Durban CBD.
• The incident comes against the backdrop of ongoing anti-immigration protests.
• Police are yet to make any arrests.

A foreign national was beaten to death in Durban’s CBD on Thursday morning, as anti-immigration protests continued in parts of the city.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said a group was marching along Dr Pixley KaSeme Street towards Maud Mfusi Street when two men allegedly broke away from the crowd and approached the man, who was standing on the roadside.

“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,” said Netshiunda.

The man was believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

The incident comes a day after demonstrations in Durban involving e-hailing drivers and motorcyclists.

Later in the evening, a group of marchers moved from Che Guevara Road to the South Beach Point area before returning to Che Guevara Road.

READ | E-hailing drivers, motorbike riders protest against undocumented foreign nationals

During the convoy, foreign nationals’ shops were closed, and there were incidents of foreigners being assaulted.

The demonstrations come amid growing tensions over immigration.

Netshiunda said police had opened a murder case and were following several leads to identify possible suspects.

The motive for the killing remains unknown.

He urged community members not to spread unverified information as the investigation continued.

Meanwhile, the same group of protesters allegedly breached the premises of the VFS office in Essenwood, Durban, on Thursday.

The group reportedly arrived at the offices on Problem Mkhize Road after marching through parts of the city since Wednesday.