Three foreign nationals were injured in South Africa on Wednesday when a protest against undocumented migrants turned violent, police in KwaZulu-Natal said.
KwaZulu-Natal has been the epicentre of long-running demonstrations against irregular migration, which has already left four foreigners dead and seen African governments repatriate their citizens.
Police said the three sustained injuries when protesters began looting shops in Kranskop, some 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the eastern city of Durban.
“Two of the injured victims are receiving medical attention at a hospital, whereas the third victim is yet to be located,” a statement read.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims are in the country legally, however their immigration status will be verified.”
Their nationality was not given.
Groups campaigning against undocumented migrants set a June 30 deadline for them to leave the country.
Tensions and intimidation have forced more than 176,000 people to flee, according to an AFP tally based on figures released by African governments that have repatriated their nationals.
Police said at least 80 people were arrested in Kranskop.
One of the three victims was reportedly robbed of cash, they added.
Amnesty International on Tuesday called on the South African authorities to “stop vigilante groups that are unlawfully targeting migrants, business owners and communities”.
Shenilla Mohamed, the rights monitor’s executive director for South Africa, said the government in Pretoria had failed to act decisively against those behind the protests.
“Although the government has made it clear that it will not tolerate illegal identity checks, acts of intimidation and vigilante behaviour, such abuses are still taking place,” she added.
“Authorities must move beyond statements of concern and demonstrate through effective investigations, prosecutions and accountability measures that no person or group is above the law.”
AFP
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