Anti-migrant violence has erupted again in South Africa, with 24 vehicles set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted during fresh protests in Soweto, Johannesburg, and Durban.
Gatekeepers News reports that the latest unrest was reported on Thursday, October 8, amid renewed demonstrations against the presence of foreign nationals and the government’s handling of asylum applications.
According to TheCable, 10 vehicles were set on fire in Soweto, while another 14 were torched in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province.
In Durban, protesters reportedly gathered outside a government refugee reception centre, demanding that authorities stop processing asylum applications from foreign nationals. The demonstration later turned violent, prompting police to intervene.
The unrest reportedly followed allegations that a foreign national had assaulted a South African demonstrator. Three foreign nationals were arrested in connection with the alleged assault.
Police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds as tensions escalated, while businesses in parts of Durban’s city centre reportedly shut their doors amid fears of further violence.
In Soweto, confrontations between residents and foreign shopkeepers also intensified, with gunshots reportedly heard during the clashes. Several foreign-owned convenience stores were targeted, and some were looted.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property, warning that demonstrations did not justify criminal acts.
“The right to raise concerns and to protest does not give anyone the right to commit crime,” she said.
The protests followed a Constitutional Court ruling that removed procedural barriers preventing some asylum seekers from accessing the application process, including people who entered South Africa irregularly or missed certain reporting deadlines.
The ruling does not automatically grant undocumented migrants refugee status or permanent residence. However, the decision and its implementation triggered renewed debate over immigration and asylum procedures.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs subsequently announced changes to the implementation of its directive after refugee reception offices were overwhelmed by applicants. The department said it would continue to comply with the court’s ruling.
The country has experienced repeated outbreaks of anti-migrant violence targeting foreign nationals, particularly people from other African countries. Migrants have often been blamed for unemployment and crime, intensifying tensions in communities already facing economic hardship.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns about the safety of foreign nationals living and working in South Africa, as well as the potential impact on relations between the country and its African neighbours.
