South Africa: Anti-Migrant Violence Erupts in Durban and Soweto
Protests targeting foreign nationals turned violent, resulting in torched vehicles and looted shops.
Anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa's Durban and Soweto on Thursday, with protesters torching vehicles and looting shops. The unrest followed allegations that a foreign national had assaulted a protester in Durban, leading to the arrest of three foreign nationals.
In Durban, the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrations outside a government refugee reception centre called for a halt to asylum applications. Police deployed rubber bullets to disperse crowds, and businesses in the city center closed. "There were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," senior local police officer Xolani Fihla told state broadcaster SABC. "At the present moment, I can confirm that no injuries have been reported."
Police reported that 14 vehicles were torched in Durban and 10 in Soweto, where gunshots were also heard during confrontations between residents and foreign shopkeepers. In Orlando West, a Soweto neighborhood, residents initially gathered to demand the closure of small convenience stores, known as spaza shops, operated by foreign nationals. Local media reported that shops were attacked and a building was set on fire, with protesters forcing foreign traders out of some areas.
Acting national police commissioner Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property and stated that reinforcements had been deployed to prevent further violence. Authorities have pledged to prosecute those responsible for the destruction.
The recent disturbances are linked to a July ruling by South Africa's Constitutional Court. The court struck down restrictions that prevented some individuals from seeking asylum based on their entry method or missed immigration deadlines. This judgment mandates that asylum seekers must be allowed to submit applications, irrespective of whether they possess the required documents upon entry.
This decision has led to hundreds of individuals gathering at refugee reception centers, fueling anger among anti-immigration advocates who fear it will encourage undocumented migration. Government spokesman William Baloyi clarified that false claims about the judgment were being spread, creating the misconception that undocumented migrants would automatically gain legal status. Baloyi emphasized that the ruling does not confer refugee status or permanent residency rights.
Officials maintain that applications will undergo individual assessment, and applicants will remain subject to immigration checks.
Earlier this year, anti-immigration groups organized demonstrations demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by June 30. These protests resulted in tens of thousands of migrants fleeing, with some returning to their home countries through repatriation programs.
South Africa has a history of xenophobic attacks, with over 60 people killed and tens of thousands displaced during widespread attacks on foreign nationals in 2008. The current unrest occurs against a backdrop of high poverty, deep inequality, and unemployment affecting approximately one-third of the workforce. Migrants are often accused of exacerbating crime and straining public services, claims that researchers suggest are not substantiated by evidence.
Despite its economic challenges, South Africa remains a primary destination for migrants seeking employment, safety, and better opportunities on the continent.