An Ethiopian national has been shot dead in what authorities suspect was a targeted attack in downtown Johannesburg, further heightening concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa.
The incident occurred at the busy Jeppe and Von Wielligh Streets intersection, an area known for heavy pedestrian and commercial activity. According to reports, the victim was standing near a street stall when a man approached him and opened fire at close range before calmly walking away.
CCTV footage circulating online shows the attacker carrying out the shooting without any visible exchange or struggle, and no signs of robbery were reported at the scene. This has led investigators to believe the killing may have been deliberate and premeditated.
The victim has been identified only as an Ethiopian national, while further details are being withheld as police continue investigations. The South African Police Service confirmed that no arrests have been made, adding that efforts are ongoing to determine the motive and identify those responsible.
The killing adds to growing unease over the safety of foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, where there have been repeated reports of hostility and xenophobic tension.
In a separate recent incident, a viral video showed a Nigerian trader being confronted by a group of local men during a street encounter. In the footage, the trader was questioned and told he and his family were no longer welcome in the area, despite explaining that he had lived and worked there for years to support his family.
“We don’t want foreigners in this town,” one of the men was heard saying, as they ordered him to leave the country.
The South African Police Service has previously condemned such acts of intimidation and violence, stressing that they violate the country’s constitutional values.
“These actions are not only unlawful, but they stand in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality, and human rights upon which our democracy is founded,” the police said.
As investigations continue into the latest shooting, pressure is mounting on authorities to strengthen protection for foreign residents and address rising community tensions before they escalate further.
