South Africa withdraws asylum directive after anti-migrant violence

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive allowing asylum applications following anti-migrant protests that turned violent in Johannesburg and Durban.

The department announced the withdrawal on Friday, a day after protesters torched vehicles and looted foreign-owned shops in the two cities.

The directive was intended to implement a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers could not be denied access to the country’s asylum system solely on procedural grounds, including entering the country illegally.

The department said the directive was introduced as an operational measure but overwhelmed refugee reception offices within days, putting officials at risk and threatening public safety and order.

The government blamed the disinformation surrounding the court ruling, stressing that it did not automatically grant refugee status, permanent residence or other legal rights to undocumented migrants.

South Africa, Africa’s largest economy, has experienced a surge in anti-immigrant protests, straining relations with other African countries and forcing thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country.

Migrants are frequently blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services, although social scientists say the allegations are unsupported by evidence.

During Thursday’s violence, rioters set fire to 14 vehicles in Durban and 10 others in Johannesburg’s Soweto Township. Foreign-owned shops were also looted.

A senior police official, Lt.-Gen. Puleng Dimpane, told a press briefing in Soweto that calm had returned to the area.

Dimpane spoke near the remains of vehicles burnt during the violence.

In Durban, police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the situation had stabilised, adding that a swift police response had prevented further damage. (Reuters/NAN)