A South African anti-immigrant group has alleged that one of its regional leaders was assassinated, as the country grapples with heightened anti-migrant sentiment and deportations.
According to TRT Africa, Andile Somgxada, who led the “March and March” group in Gauteng, was shot while leaving his home early this month and later succumbed to his wounds, according to reports. A spokesman for the group confirmed the death and linked it to threats received over their stance on illegal migration.
“March and March has been receiving death threats in this case of our leader in Ekurhuleni. So, we confirm that there’s a number of death threats that we are receiving throughout South Africa for wanting what’s best for the South Africans,” Sandile Dube said.
The killing comes as South Africa has deported or repatriated more than 53,000 African immigrants in recent weeks amid protests and occasional violence targeting foreigners. Officials have rejected attempts to link some deaths directly to the unrest.
