In South Africa ,protests turned violent after a local man was allegedly stabbed by a foreign business owner.
Cars and properties linked to foreign nationals were set on fire.
The unrest began over anger at the installation of a “Nigerian King” in the area. Many locals opposed it, saying it clashed with South Africa’s traditional leadership system.
The South African government declared the coronation unlawful, stating it is not part of the country’s recognised traditional structures.
The unrest reportedly occurred in East London, where demonstrators opposed the coronation of a Nigerian community leader, arguing it undermines local traditional authority and sovereignty.
Eyewitness accounts say the protest escalated quickly, with angry crowds torching vehicles, vandalising property, and targeting businesses believed to belong to foreigners. Emergency responders were deployed as fires spread across parts of the area.
Police moved in to restore order, reportedly using crowd-control measures including stun grenades, as tensions remain high.
The incident has reignited concerns over xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals have previously been targeted during periods of unrest.