Anti-Migrant Protests: South Africa Scraps Asylum Directive After Deadly Unrest Fears

South Africa has withdrawn a directive designed to facilitate asylum applications following violent anti-migrant demonstrations that resulted in vehicle arson and looting in Johannesburg and Durban.

The Department of Home Affairs announced the reversal on Friday, following Thursday’s unrest in which protesters torched vehicles and targeted foreign-owned shops.

The directive had been introduced to give effect to a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers must not be denied access to South Africa’s asylum system solely because of procedural issues, including entering the country illegally.

In explaining its decision, the department said the measure was intended to guide administrative operations but caused refugee reception offices to become overwhelmed within days. It added that the situation exposed officials to risks and threatened public safety and order.

Authorities also expressed concern over misinformation about the court judgment, clarifying that it did not automatically grant refugee status, permanent residence or other legal entitlements to undocumented migrants.

The developments come amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, the continent’s largest economy. The protests have strained the country’s relations with other African nations and contributed to thousands of foreign nationals leaving.

Migrants are often blamed for the country’s unemployment challenges, crime and pressure on public services, although social scientists say evidence does not support these accusations.

Thursday’s violence saw 14 vehicles set ablaze in Durban, while another 10 were torched in Johannesburg’s Soweto Township. Protesters also looted shops owned by foreign nationals.

Speaking at a press briefing in Soweto, senior police official Lt.-Gen. Puleng Dimpane said calm had returned to the area. The briefing took place near the remains of vehicles burnt during the unrest.

Meanwhile, Durban police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the situation in the city had stabilised, adding that the prompt intervention of police officers had prevented the violence from causing further damage.

Africans Angle News