Anti-migrant protests turned violent in Durban and Soweto following a court order to resume asylum processing. Vehicles were torched and shops looted, prompting the government to withdraw a related directive.
Violent anti-immigration protests erupted in South Africa on Thursday, fueled by tensions over a court order requiring the government to resume processing asylum applications. The unrest, which included arson and looting in the coastal city of Durban and the Soweto township of Johannesburg, has led to the withdrawal of a government directive on asylum intake.
In Durban, clashes between protesters and foreign nationals resulted in the torching of at least 14 vehicles, according to police. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane stated that three people were arrested in the city. AFP reporters observed police firing rubber bullets to disperse protesters who reportedly set fire to a business run by foreigners. A municipal building was also set on fire, an official said.
In Soweto, residents clashed with foreign shop owners, and gunshots were heard, according to the broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed that at least nine vehicles were torched in the area. "It's reported that there were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," Fihla said. "At the present moment, I can confirm that no injuries have been reported."
The protests followed a July Constitutional Court decision that deemed certain provisions of the government's refugee policy unconstitutional. The court ruled that these provisions prevented individuals from accessing the asylum system on procedural grounds, such as entering the country illegally. This ruling led hundreds of people to flock to government refugee centers, reportedly including those who do not qualify for asylum.
Government spokesperson William Baloyi said the violence was triggered by people spreading deliberately false information about the constitutional court ruling. Baloyi emphasized that the decision "does not grant refugee status or permanent residence automatically to anyone who enters South Africa." "We are deeply concerned by what is going on now," he added.
Following the unrest, the Department of Home Affairs withdrew a directive on the intake of asylum applications. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the withdrawal, stating it creates an opportunity for further consultation without undermining the court judgment. The ruling remains in force, and asylum applications must still be assessed individually.
South Africa has experienced months of anti-immigrant protests this year. Populist and anti-immigrant groups have demanded that undocumented foreign nationals leave by June 30. Amidst international criticism, tens of thousands of people have fled the country, while some were repatriated by their governments. At least four foreign nationals were killed in earlier violence, according to the South African police, though some foreign governments said the toll was higher.
Although South Africa has a third of its population unemployed, it remains the largest economy in Africa and continues to attract migrants. Migrants are often blamed for taking jobs, fueling crime, and straining public services. However, social scientists have said these accusations are not supported by evidence.
The resurgence of xenophobic violence highlights the deep social and economic fractures in South Africa, where high unemployment and inequality fuel resentment against migrants. The government's struggle to balance legal obligations under the Constitutional Court with public pressure and disinformation poses a significant challenge to social stability and South Africa's international relations. The withdrawal of the asylum directive indicates an attempt to de-escalate tensions, but the underlying issues remain unresolved as local government elections approach.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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