South Africa Withdraws Asylum Order After Protests

South Africa has retracted its decision to allow more asylum applications following violent protests. Cars were set on fire and shops were looted. The government stated that processing staff faced significant risks.

Riots erupted after a Constitutional Court ruling. The ruling mandated the consideration of asylum applications even if individuals entered the country illegally, did not declare their intent to seek asylum at the border, or failed to report to a refugee reception office within five days as the law demands.

Demonstrations occurred in Durban and parts of Johannesburg on Thursday. Local reports indicated that crowds targeted and stormed ‘spaza shops,’ small convenience stores often run by foreigners, and set at least 24 vehicles alight.

On Friday, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, which initially opposed the court’s decision, announced the suspension of the new policy. The department cited ‘serious consequences that could not have been foreseen.’ It reported that refugee operations became ‘overwhelmed within days of the directive.’ Officials were endangered, and significant threats to public safety and order emerged.

The Department of Home Affairs declared its intent to ’embark on a fresh process’ to create a new strategy in compliance with the court order.

Immigration has become a contentious issue in South Africa, similar to many Western countries. Many arriving individuals come from neighboring nations like Zimbabwe and Malawi. This tension has sparked repeated riots over recent years, occasionally resulting in fatalities. Earlier this year, anti-foreigner riots in Durban claimed at least four lives.

This is an ongoing story with more updates to follow.