South Africa anti-migrant march injures three foreigners

Three foreign nationals were injured in South Africa on Wednesday when a protest against undocumented migrants turned violent, police in KwaZulu-Natal said.

Police said the injuries occurred after protesters began looting shops in Kranskop, about 150 kilometres from Durban. Two of the injured people were receiving medical treatment in hospital, while the third had not yet been located, police said.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were in South Africa legally, but that their immigration status would be verified. Their nationalities were not given.

At least 80 people were arrested in Kranskop. Police said one of the injured people was reportedly robbed of cash.

KwaZulu-Natal has been the centre of long-running demonstrations against irregular migration. The unrest has already left four foreigners dead and led African governments to repatriate some of their citizens.

Groups campaigning against undocumented migrants had 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.

Amnesty International on Tuesday urged South African authorities to stop vigilante groups it said were unlawfully targeting migrants, business owners and communities. Shenilla Mohamed, the group's executive director for South Africa, said authorities should move beyond statements of concern and ensure investigations, prosecutions and accountability.