Violent Anti-Migrant Protests Erupt in South Africa, Cars Torched in Soweto and Durban
South African anti-migrant protests turn violent with cars torched and gunshots fired in Soweto and Durban. Tensions reignite after court order to process as...
POLICY WIRE — Johannesburg, South Africa — Violent anti-migrant demonstrations erupted in South Africa on Thursday, with vehicles set ablaze and foreign-run businesses forced to shut down in Soweto and Durban. The unrest followed a court ruling that compelled the government to resume processing asylum applications, reigniting long-standing xenophobic tensions.
The protests, organized by anti-immigration groups, targeted undocumented migrants and led to clashes between South Africans and foreign nationals. In Durban, at least 14 vehicles were burned after allegations surfaced that a foreigner had assaulted a local demonstrator. In Soweto, nine cars were torched, according to police officials, though no injuries were reported.
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The Constitutional Court’s decision invalidated procedural barriers that previously prevented some individuals from accessing the asylum system, including those who entered the country illegally. This triggered an influx of people seeking refuge, despite government warnings that the ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residency. Weeks of demonstrations demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners have already forced tens of thousands to leave the country.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
