South Africa has withdrawn a directive intended to ease access to its asylum application system following violent anti-migrant protests in Johannesburg and Durban that left vehicles burnt and foreign-owned shops looted.
The Department of Home Affairs announced the withdrawal on Friday, October 9, citing operational difficulties, risks to officials and growing concerns about public safety after the directive overwhelmed refugee reception offices within days of its implementation.
The directive was introduced to give effect to a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers should not be denied access to the country’s asylum system solely because of procedural issues, including entering South Africa illegally.
However, the government said the implementation placed significant pressure on refugee reception offices and created challenges for officials responsible for processing applications.
Authorities have also blamed misinformation about the court ruling for fuelling tensions. They stressed that the judgment did not automatically grant refugee status, permanent residence or other legal rights to undocumented migrants.
The policy reversal followed demonstrations in Johannesburg’s Soweto township and Durban on Thursday, October 8. Police reported that 10 vehicles were set ablaze in Soweto and another 14 in Durban, while foreign-owned shops were looted.
South African authorities said the situation had stabilised following the deployment of police personnel, although concerns remained over the possibility of further unrest.
The protests reflect wider anti-immigrant tensions in the country, where foreign nationals have faced hostility linked to allegations concerning unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Social scientists have challenged claims that migrants are responsible for these problems.
Despite withdrawing the directive, the Department of Home Affairs has indicated that it will develop a revised operational approach to comply with the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
