Key facts
- A foreign national was beaten to death by a mob of about 50 people on Thursday in Durban.
- The attack occurred during anti-migrant protests.
- Thousands marched across South Africa on June 30, 2026, demanding undocumented migrants leave.
- Police deployed the army on a contingency basis in Johannesburg and Durban.
- Protesters handed over a memorandum of demands to government officials in Durban and Johannesburg.
A mob of approximately 50 individuals beat a foreign national to death on Thursday in Durban, South Africa, according to police. The incident occurred in the city center, a focal point for anti-migrant sentiment and protests that have led to violence and looting in recent months. Durban has seen months of demonstrations against foreign nationals, with a significant anti-migrant march two weeks prior to Thursday's attack. On June 30, 2026, thousands marched in major South African cities demanding the departure of undocumented migrants, prompting a heavy police and army presence. While most protests were reported as peaceful, isolated incidents of looting and violence occurred. In Johannesburg, three individuals were arrested after allegedly opening fire on protesters, leading to retaliatory actions including the torching of a vehicle. Demonstrators also evicted suspected foreign nationals from homes in Germiston and engaged in looting in Soweto and KwaZulu-Natal.