South African authorities have revoked a new directive governing asylum applications after it triggered widespread and violent demonstrations across the country. The policy change, originally introduced by the Department of Home Affairs, was designed to comply with a recent court ruling that found parts of the government’s refugee policy unconstitutional.
The judicial decision established that asylum seekers cannot be refused entry into South Africa’s processing system solely based on procedural violations, such as entering the country illegally. Following this mandate, the department issued the directive, which sparked immediate backlash and days of unrest.
The protests initially ignited in the coastal city of Durban, where demonstrators demanded that a refugee center halt its processing of asylum claims. The situation escalated quickly, with rioters overturning and setting fire to vehicles. Reports indicate that foreign-owned businesses were looted during the chaos in Durban.
By Thursday, the unrest had spread to the Soweto township in Johannesburg. According to Newzroom Afrika, clashes broke out between local residents and foreign shop owners, with gunshots reported in the area. Superintendent Xolani Fihla of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to SABC television that tensions existed between foreign nationals and South African citizens but stated that no injuries had been reported at that time.
Additional damage was documented across both locations, with 14 vehicles torched in Durban and 10 in Soweto. South African Police Service officers were deployed to the scenes, firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds as tensions flared between protesters and foreign nationals.
In response to the surge in applications following the court ruling, the government emphasized on Wednesday that the judgment does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence to anyone entering South Africa. However, hundreds of individuals, including some who may not qualify for asylum, have reportedly flocked to government centers in recent weeks.
This incident marks the latest episode in a year marked by significant anti-immigrant sentiment in the nation. Populist groups have previously demanded the departure of undocumented foreign nationals by June 30, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of immigrants and drawing international criticism. Despite having one of the highest unemployment rates globally, South Africa remains Africa’s largest economy and a primary destination for migrants, who are frequently scapegoated for crime and strain on public services, though social scientists argue these claims lack empirical support.
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