Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts in South Africa

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   South Africa Withdraws Asylum Order After Violent Anti-Migrant Riots

   Anti-migrant protests erupted into widespread violence across Johannesburg and Durban, leaving foreign-owned shops looted and at least 24 vehicles torched. Clashes began on Thursday when demonstrations against undocumented immigration turned destructive in Soweto and Durban. In response to the unrest, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs withdrew an asylum directive that had restarted the intake of refugee applications following a court order. Police deployed heightened security measures at hotspots, fired rubber bullets, and arrested three foreign nationals in Durban amid allegations of an assault on a local demonstrator.

   Why it matters

   South Africa has experienced recurrent outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting migrants from neighbouring countries. The latest unrest follows previous demonstrations earlier this year that pushed tens of thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country. Tensions were reignited by a legal directive forcing the government to resume processing asylum applications, exposing deep friction between immigration enforcement and refugee protection.

   What is confirmed

   • At least 24 vehicles were set ablaze and foreign-owned shops were looted during anti-immigration protests in Johannesburg and Durban.
   • Violence broke out on Thursday in Soweto and Durban, prompting heightened security at anti-immigrant hotspots.
   • South Africa's Department of Home Affairs withdrew its directive governing the intake of asylum applications on Friday.
   • Police in Durban arrested three foreign nationals following clashes sparked by allegations that a foreign national assaulted a South African demonstrator.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Authorities blamed disinformation for fueling the anti-migrant protests that turned violent.

   What to watch next

   • Further security deployments and potential additional arrests at anti-immigrant hotspots.
   • Government announcements regarding alternative immigration policies or revisions to the withdrawn asylum directive.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Al Jazeera — South Africa protests turn violent amid rage over asylum ruling
   2. Reuters — South Africa blames disinformation as anti-migrant protests turn violent
   3. BBC — Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts in South Africa
   4. BusinessTech — Social unrest in South Africa turns to violence and looting, and Helen Zille hit with criminal case
   5. Africanews English — Heightened security at anti-immigrant hotspots in South Africa
   6. www.newsweek.com — South Africa Withdraws Migrant Policy After Violent Riots
   7. africa.businessinsider.com — South Africa backtracks on asylum directive after violent ...
   8. www.namibian.com.na — Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts in South Africa - News - The Namibian
   9. www.yahoo.com — Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts ...
   10. www.newzimbabwe.com — Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts in South Africa - NewZimbabwe.com
   11. 3news.com — Cars torched and shops looted as anti-migrant violence erupts ...
   12. www.dailymaverick.co.za — Ten cars torched as xenophobic violence erupts in Soweto
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