Johannesburg, South Africa — South Africa has withdrawn a directive easing access to asylum applications after violent anti-migrant protests in Johannesburg and Durban left at least 24 vehicles burned and foreign-owned businesses looted.
Police said 10 vehicles were set alight in Soweto, Johannesburg, while another 14 were torched in Durban on Thursday as protesters demanded the deportation of undocumented migrants.
Additional public-order police officers were deployed to contain the unrest. Three people were arrested in Durban, according to authorities.
South Africa reverses asylum directive following protests
The unrest followed a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that struck down provisions of the Refugees Act imposing procedural barriers on asylum seekers.
The Department of Home Affairs issued a directive on September 28 to implement the judgment, allowing more people to submit asylum applications, including those previously excluded because of irregular entry or missed application deadlines.
However, the department withdrew the directive on Friday, citing pressure on refugee reception offices and growing security concerns.
Officials said the facilities had become overwhelmed within days, placing staff at risk and raising concerns about public safety.
Home Affairs to review asylum application procedures
The Department of Home Affairs said it would develop a new approach to implementing the Constitutional Court ruling.
The withdrawal of the directive does not overturn the court’s judgment, which remains in force.
The department has yet to announce when revised asylum application procedures will be introduced.
Anti-migrant violence raises concerns in South Africa
The protests come amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where foreign nationals are frequently blamed for unemployment and crime.
The latest unrest has again highlighted tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the treatment of asylum seekers.
Authorities condemned the violence, stressing that opposition to immigration policies does not justify attacks on businesses or the destruction of property.
