Amid continuing anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, a foreign national was beaten to death after being surrounded by a mob of about 50 people on the 22nd (local time), AFP reported.

South African police are investigating the incident, in which a foreigner estimated to be in their late 30s to early 40s was beaten to death in Durban, a coastal city in eastern South Africa, on the morning of that day.

The victim's nationality and identity have not yet been disclosed.

Police stated that two men participating in a march broke away from the group, approached a man standing on the street, and thereafter about 50 people joined in the assault.

South African police explained that the specific motive for the crime has not yet been determined.

In recent months, South Africa has seen a succession of anti-immigrant protests and attacks targeting foreign immigrants.

Anti-illegal immigration groups, including March and March, have been leading protests, claiming that undocumented foreigners in South Africa are taking jobs away from South Africans and causing crime.

Durban, where the incident occurred, has become a epicenter of anti-immigrant protests. Two weeks prior, following an anti-immigrant rally, violence broke out as crowds looted foreign-owned shops and burned vehicles.

This is not the first time a foreigner has died in connection with anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.

The Nigerian government announced in July that two of its citizens were killed in anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, and the Mozambican government has also stated that its citizens died in xenophobic attacks.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)