South Africa has retracted its decision to accept more asylum applications following protests marked by violence, including the torching of vehicles and looting of shops. The country’s government highlighted that the staff handling these applications faced significant risks.
The unrest began after South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that asylum requests should be considered even for individuals who entered the country illegally or failed to declare their intentions or report to a refugee office in time. Demonstrations erupted in Durban and parts of Johannesburg on Thursday, with local media noting assaults on spaza shops—small convenience stores run by foreigners—and the destruction of at least 24 vehicles.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs opposed the court’s order and announced on Friday that it would stop implementing the new policy due to unforeseen consequences. The department indicated that refugee operations were overwhelmed shortly after the directive’s release and that serious threats to public safety had arisen.
Home Affairs officials stated they would develop a new strategy to comply with the court’s order. Immigration issues, often involving arrivals from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi, have sparked contentions in South Africa. Riots fueled by these tensions have resulted in violence, sometimes with fatal outcomes. This year alone, four people died during such protests in Durban.
The situation is ongoing with further developments anticipated.