In early September 2019, xenophobic attacks escalated dramatically in two large South African cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as adjoining areas.
Businesses belonging to African immigrants were looted, burned and destroyed. People were assaulted. Between January and September 2019 South Africa recorded 68 attacks and 18 people died. More than 147 shops were looted. Immigrants in South Africa commonly hail from countries like Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Angola, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
