Violence Erupts in Durban and Soweto After Court Ruling on Asylum Applications

On October 8, anti-migrant protests in Durban and Soweto turned violent. In Durban, several vehicles were set ablaze and a foreign-owned scrap-yard and warehouse were partially burned. In Soweto, police said roughly ten cars were overturned and torched, foreign-owned shops were looted, and gunshots were heard. Police deployed additional officers, used rubber bullets in Durban, and closed affected roads. No injuries were confirmed by the evening.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

The unrest follows a Constitutional Court judgment issued in early July that declared portions of the Refugees Act unconstitutional because they barred asylum seekers from accessing the system on procedural grounds, such as illegal entry. The court clarified that the ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence. Anti-immigrant groups had previously set an unofficial June 30 deadline urging undocumented migrants to leave, a demand that contributed to earlier xenophobic demonstrations.

New Directive Widens Access to South African Asylum System

• Vehicles set on fire: at least 14 in Durban and about 10 in Soweto.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

• Arrests: three foreign nationals detained for assault in Durban; further arrests pending.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

• Police presence: public-order units deployed across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

Government spokesperson William Baloyi said the violence was sparked by false information about the court ruling and emphasized that the judgment does not confer automatic refugee status.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, acting national police commissioner, pledged investigations and arrests of those responsible for the destruction.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Superintendent Xolani Fihla said the situation remained “largely under control” with no injuries reported.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi noted ongoing intelligence-gathering and contingency plans.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi reiterated that asylum claims must still be assessed and that unqualified individuals can be deported after due process.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

ActionSA parliamentary chief whip Lerato Ngobeni warned that the new Home Affairs directive expanding asylum-application access could overwhelm the system, calling for dedicated processing centres and stricter deadlines.

New Directive Widens Access to South African Asylum System

Sources differ on the exact number of vehicles destroyed: one account cites 14 in Durban, another about 10. Soweto figures range from nine to ten torched cars. No injuries were reported, yet the presence of gunshots and the identity of shooters remain unclear. Officials attribute the unrest to misinformation, but the specific false claims have not been detailed.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers

• “Those responsible for acts of violence and destruction will be identified, investigated and where sufficient evidence exists, arrested and brought to book.” — Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane

The Straits Times

The Inter-ministerial Committee on Migration is seeking legal advice on operationalising the court’s judgment. Police deployments to identified hotspots will continue, and public-order units remain on standby.

Violence erupts in Durban, Soweto over asylum seekers