The Department of Home Affairs announced the decision on Friday, October 9, saying the directive had overwhelmed its offices within days, put officials at risk and raised serious concerns about public safety.
The directive followed a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down certain procedural barriers preventing some asylum seekers from having their applications considered. Its implementation drew large numbers of applicants to refugee reception offices and reignited tensions over immigration.
Violence broke out on Thursday in Johannesburg’s Soweto township and the coastal city of Durban, where protesters opposed illegal immigration. At least 24 vehicles were set alight across the two areas, while foreign-owned shops were looted. A municipal building was also set on fire in Durban, according to reports.
Police said three foreign nationals were arrested in Durban over an alleged assault on a South African protester.
The Home Affairs Department said it would develop a fresh operational process to implement the court ruling, while maintaining that asylum applications must be handled in accordance with the law.
The withdrawal comes amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment ahead of South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for November 4. Foreign nationals from several African countries, including Nigeria, have previously fled the country during waves of xenophobic violence.
South Africa has experienced recurring attacks against foreign nationals for nearly two decades. The latest clashes have renewed concerns about the safety of migrants and the potential impact on relations between Pretoria and other African countries.
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South Africa has withdrawn an asylum-processing directive after anti-immigrant protests turned violent in Johannesburg and Durban, with vehicles torched and foreign-owned shops looted. South Africa has withdrawn a directive allowing refugee reception offices to accept additional asylum applications after anti-immigrant protests erupted into violence in Johannesburg and Durban.The Department of Home Affairs announced the decision on Friday, October...
Key takeaways
- South Africa has withdrawn an asylum-processing directive after anti-immigrant protests turned violent in Johannesburg and Durban, with vehicles torched and foreign-owned shops looted.
- South Africa has withdrawn a directive allowing refugee reception offices to accept additional asylum applications after anti-immigrant protests erupted into violence in Johannesburg and Durban.The Department of Home Affairs announced the decision on Friday, October 9, saying the directive had overwhelmed its offices within days, put officials at risk and raised serious concerns about public safety.The directive followed a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down certain procedural barriers preventing some asylum seekers from having their applications considered.
- Its implementation drew large numbers of applicants to refugee reception offices and reignited tensions over immigration.Violence broke out on Thursday in Johannesburg’s Soweto township and the coastal city of Durban, where protesters opposed illegal immigration.
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South Africa has withdrawn an asylum-processing directive after anti-immigrant protests turned violent in Johannesburg and Durban, with vehicles torched and foreign-owned shops looted. South Africa has withdrawn a directive allowing refugee reception offices to accept additional asylum applications after anti-immigrant protests erupted into violence in Johannesburg and Durban.The Department of Home Affairs announced the decision on Friday, October...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 9, 2026
