WATCH: ConCourt protest turns violent, four arrested

Four people have been arrested following violent anti-immigration protests in Johannesburg on Friday, 9 October, during which a vehicle was torched near the Constitutional Court and police fired rubber bullets.

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed the arrests on Friday afternoon, saying officers had identified individuals suspected of inciting violence.

The arrests followed a march led by former radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu, who took demonstrators from Kwa Mai Mai in the Johannesburg CBD to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein.

According to reports, police dispersed protesters after a vehicle was set alight near the court precinct.

Authorities have not confirmed who torched the vehicle.

FOUR ARRESTED AFTER CONCOURT VIOLENCE

Mthombeni said the four suspects were believed to have encouraged others to commit criminal acts during the demonstration.

He confirmed that the suspects faced charges including incitement to violence.

Police fired rubber bullets during further confrontations near Kwa Mai Mai, where protesters gathered after leaving the court.

Mthombeni said officers had dispersed the crowd but remained on high alert.

He warned that police would arrest anyone involved in looting, damaging property or inciting further violence.

MCHUNU THREATENS JOBURG SHUTDOWN

Meanwhile, Mchunu has threatened to shut down Johannesburg on Tuesday, 13 October, unless authorities address protesters’ demands.

The former Ukhozi FM presenter led demonstrators opposing the Constitutional Court’s July judgment on asylum applications.

Protesters welcomed Home Affairs’ decision to withdraw its controversial asylum intake directive earlier on Friday but insisted that the withdrawal did not address their objections to the judgment.

Mchunu warned that further demonstrations could follow.

Police have not confirmed whether organisers have formally notified authorities of the planned shutdown.

HOME AFFAIRS WITHDRAWS ASYLUM DIRECTIVE

The Department of Home Affairs withdrew its 28 September directive after refugee reception centres struggled to process an influx of applications.

The department said the instructions had overwhelmed its offices and placed officials at risk.

However, the Constitutional Court’s judgment remains binding.

The ruling prevents officials from automatically rejecting asylum applications because individuals entered South Africa irregularly or failed to meet certain procedural requirements. It does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence.

Friday’s violence follows unrest in Soweto and Durban on Thursday.

As previously reported by The South African, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi led a high-level police coordination meeting after 24 vehicles were torched across the two cities.

Police have reinforced deployments and stepped up intelligence gathering in response to the unrest.

With protesters threatening another demonstration on Tuesday, Gauteng police remain on alert for further disruptions.