WATCH: US warns Americans as Durban looting sparks fresh security fears

The United States has warned Americans to avoid parts of Durban’s city centre as protesters threaten to disrupt operations at the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre again on Friday, 9 October.

The warning follows days of anti-immigration protests that escalated into violence on Thursday, leaving vehicles torched, businesses damaged and police struggling to contain the unrest.

The US Consulate General in Durban issued its security alert on Wednesday, 7 October, after receiving reports of looting and attacks targeting foreign nationals near the Bayside Hotel on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street.

The situation deteriorated further on Thursday as protesters moved through the central business district.

US WARNS AMERICANS TO AVOID DURBAN HOTSPOT

The consulate identified the area around the Bayside Hotel at 116 Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, formerly West Street, as a security concern.

It instructed US government personnel to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel through the affected area.

American citizens were also advised to avoid demonstrations, remain alert and monitor local developments.

The warning applies to the affected area of central Durban, not the entire city.

The consulate has not announced a blanket travel ban for KwaZulu-Natal.

DURBAN PROTESTERS THREATEN FRESH DISRUPTIONS

The warning comes as anti-immigration protesters threaten to prevent the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road from reopening on Friday.

Members of the March and March movement have blocked access to the facility since earlier this week, demanding that government stop processing asylum applications.

Protesters forced hundreds of foreign nationals to abandon their applications on Thursday after police raised concerns about their safety.

Activist Wandile Nsibande reportedly said that protesters would not allow the centre to resume processing applications on Friday.

Authorities had not confirmed whether the facility would reopen when this report was prepared on Friday morning.

VEHICLES TORCHED AS POLICE BATTLE VIOLENCE

Thursday’s protests spread from the refugee reception centre into Durban’s CBD.

Demonstrators torched vehicles, damaged businesses and looted shops.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse violent crowds as further disturbances erupted in several parts of the city.

Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane confirmed on Thursday night that 14 vehicles had been torched in Durban.

Police also arrested three foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal following an alleged assault on a protester.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers faced several simultaneous incidents, placing additional pressure on policing resources.

WHAT SPARKED THE DURBAN UNREST?

The protests followed a Constitutional Court judgment requiring Home Affairs to consider asylum applications without automatically rejecting applicants because they entered South Africa irregularly.

The ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence.

Government has urged communities not to misinterpret the judgment or resort to violence.

Meanwhile, police have reinforced deployments and intelligence gathering as authorities prepare for possible further disruptions.