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2h ago

Home Affairs Withdraws Asylum Directive After Violent Anti‑Migrant Protests

Home Affairs says it withdrew the instruction because a sudden surge of applicants overwhelmed reception offices and put staff and public safety at risk.

A police officer walks past burning vehicles during unrest following anti-migrant protests, where residents clashed with foreign-owned shopkeepers, and vehicles were set alight, after months of anti-migrant demonstrations that have drawn international criticism, in Soweto, South Africa, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
A resident walks past burning vehicles during unrest following anti-migrant protests, where residents clashed with foreign-owned shopkeepers, and vehicles were set alight after months of anti-migrant demonstrations that have drawn international criticism, in Soweto, South Africa, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Overview

  • The Department of Home Affairs quietly withdrew the September 28 directive on Friday after refugee reception offices were flooded with people trying to submit asylum applications and operations collapsed.
  • Violent anti‑immigrant protests in Soweto and Durban on Thursday saw vehicles and buildings torched, shops looted, and police and SANDF deployments raised to restore order.
  • Police have made multiple arrests linked to the unrest, including four near the Constitutional Court and at least 19 in KwaZulu‑Natal, and investigators are pursuing suspects for public violence and property damage.
  • Home Affairs says the directive was an operational measure issued by the director‑general without ministerial sign‑off and that withdrawal does not overturn the Constitutional Court ruling that bars automatic rejection of asylum claims on procedural grounds.
  • Officials promise a revised, consultative operational plan and better public messaging to comply with the July court judgment while managing capacity limits, and protest leaders have welcomed the withdrawal but warned of further demonstrations.