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2h ago

Home Affairs Withdraws Asylum Intake Directive After Violent Protests

The department said the directive was pulled because its rapid roll-out overwhelmed refugee reception offices and created threats to staff and public safety.

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

  • Home Affairs formally withdrew the directive on Friday, October 9, saying it was issued by the director-general without ministerial knowledge and produced unforeseen operational and security problems.
  • The directive had sought to implement the July Constitutional Court ruling that removed procedural bars—such as entry point, transit visas or short reporting deadlines—that could stop people from lodging asylum claims.
  • Refugee Reception Offices were overwhelmed when large numbers queued to apply, exposing staff to risk and straining the five main RRO centres that process most asylum claims.
  • Protests in Soweto and Durban escalated on Thursday into violence that saw at least 10 vehicles torched in Soweto and 14 in Durban, looting of foreign-owned shops, arrests and deployment of SAPS and SANDF to restore order.
  • Government officials said they will design a revised, safer operational plan to comply with the court judgment while warning that misinformation, community anger and the risk of further unrest persist and could prompt rights groups to seek court remedies if access is again restricted.