South Africa Pulls Asylum Rule After Mobs Burn Cars in Soweto and Durban

South Africa Pulls Asylum Rule After Mobs Burn Cars in Soweto and Durban

South Africa has withdrawn a directive enforcing a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers after violent anti-immigration protests erupted in Soweto and Durban, with vehicles torched and shops looted.

· 2 min read ·
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The government is now seeking court oversight of the asylum process as it struggles to balance legal obligations with rising public anger over migration.

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has withdrawn a directive on how it processes asylum applications following violent anti-immigration protests in Durban and Soweto [258542]. The move came after a Constitutional Court ruling that removed procedural barriers for people seeking asylum, a decision critics say will encourage more migrants to enter the country [258956].

The protests turned violent on Thursday, 8 October, when crowds in Soweto and Durban burned cars and looted shops [258954]. The unrest followed months of rising anti-immigrant tensions [258956]. Authorities have since increased security in areas hit by the violence, which spread across Durban and Johannesburg over two days [258932].

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber defended the withdrawal of the directive, citing safety concerns and overcrowded reception centres after the protests [258085]. The government said it is now seeking a way to carry out the Constitutional Court ruling without raising tensions further [258542].

South Africa will ask a court to oversee its asylum process, with officials arguing this will ensure the process follows the law [259897]. The original ruling has raised concerns among human rights groups, who fear it could lead to more deportations and put asylum seekers at risk [259897].

Anti-immigration groups have promised more disruptions after the series of protests across the country, though no details were given about where or when the next actions will take place [257224]. Authorities are urging calm as tensions continue to rise [257224].

South Africa has long been a destination for people fleeing conflict and poverty in other African countries. The government says it is balancing legal obligations with public pressure [259897].

Sources

South Africa seeks court oversight of asylum ruling amid protests #259897South Africa Halts Asylum Rule After Violent Protests #258542South Africa retreats on asylum ruling, citing safety fears #258085South Africa: Asylum Ruling Sparks Protests, Vehicles Burned #258956South Africa withdraws asylum directive after violence #258086South Africa: Anti-Immigration Groups Threaten More Disruptions #257224South Africa scraps asylum rule after riots #258403South Africa Erupts: Cars Burned, Shops Looted After Court Ruling #258954South Africa Deploys Security Forces After Anti-Immigrant Riots #258932Arson and violence erupt as anti-migrant protests hit South African cities #257664Migrants Targeted Again: Violence Erupts in South Africa #258044

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