Three foreign nationals killed in revenge attacks in South Africa's Eastern Cape

South African police deployed reinforcements on Monday to the Valencia citrus-farming region in Eastern Cape province following deadly revenge attacks in which three foreign nationals were killed.

The violence erupted after a local man was allegedly murdered during a bar fight involving both locals and foreign nationals on Saturday night.

According to a police statement quoted by AFP, the violence began when members of the community “took to the streets and reportedly attacked foreign nationals” in what authorities described as “random” acts of retaliation.

In addition to the South African man who was killed in the initial incident, three foreign nationals died and at least ten others were injured in the subsequent attacks.

Police have not confirmed the nationalities of the victims, though local media reported that many were Zimbabwean. “We can't assume they are from a specific country,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli.

The violence occurred near the town of Addo, around 50 kilometres north of Gqeberha, where thousands of seasonal migrant workers, many of them foreign nationals, are employed during the citrus harvest. Reports indicate that over 100 people have taken refuge at a local police station.

South Africa, the most industrialised economy in the region, continues to attract large numbers of migrants seeking work, who often face xenophobic violence, discrimination, and harassment.