South African police are investigating the murder of a foreign national in Pietermaritzburg, where hundreds of Malawians have gathered for repatriation due to fears of xenophobic attacks. The killing occurred amid weeks of violent protests against undocumented migrants that have left at least two people dead in the southern town of Mossel Bay.
Attack and Death of Malawian National
A 29-year-old Malawian national was attacked and died after a protest in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, according to local councillor Suraya Reddy. "His family identified him, he is a Malawian national," Reddy told AFP. Police, however, said they could not confirm the man's nationality until authorities from his home country had been notified.
The Malawian government said it is investigating reports that one of its nationals was killed. Police reported that a mob attacked the man, who escaped to an informal settlement but then "slipped into the river." A police statement added: "He was found on the riverbend with a cut on the head and injuries on the mouth." A murder case has been opened, and the circumstances are under investigation.
Mass Repatriation Requests
Several hundred Malawians have been gathering at a center in Pietermaritzburg, located in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, since Friday, requesting repatriation. An AFP reporter at the scene noted a large police presence in the area on Tuesday.
Small citizen-led groups have issued an unofficial demand for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30. Although the ultimatum has no legal backing, it has already prompted thousands of people from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique to leave.
Political Context and Historical Violence
The latest tensions come ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4. Past flare-ups of violence targeting undocumented foreign nationals have been deadly. In 2008, 62 people were killed in riots. In 2019, armed mobs attacked foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, leaving at least 12 people dead — 10 of them South African citizens.
