PIETERMARITZBURG - KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating a murder case after a Malawian national was killed at an informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg.
The 29-year-old was allegedly stoned to death during a march against illegal immigrants at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement. Two other people were injured in the attack. The violent confrontation broke out on Friday.
The march against undocumented migrants, led by March and March, turned violent after a woman in the group told demonstrators that her relative had been killed by Malawians.
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After handing over a memorandum at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, the demonstrators proceeded to the Jika Joe Informal Settlement, where foreign nationals were allegedly assaulted with sjamboks and sticks.
The incident has fuelled growing fears ahead of a 30 June informal deadline. Foreign nationals at the settlement, fearing for their safety, have since moved to the Mayor’s Walk grounds in the city.
Thami Ntuli, KwaZulu-Natal Premier condemned the attack describing it as a "senseless act of criminality".
"The loss of human life under these circumstances is deeply regrettable and unacceptable," Ntuli said in a statement.
"While citizens have a constitutional right to raise concerns and participate in peaceful demonstrations, no grievance, frustration or disagreement can ever justify acts of violence, vigilantism, mob justice or the targeting of any individual or group."
The Premier warned against any attempts to incite violence, saying such actions serve to deepen divisions and destabilise communities.
In a statement on Monday, the Msunduzi Municipality said security in the Mayor’s Walk area has been strengthened. It added that arrangements were being made for Malawian nationals to be transported to the Lindela Repatriation Centre.
Malawi is currently in the process of voluntarily repatriating its citizens in South Africa.