JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – At least 24 vehicles have been set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted in South Africa after anti-immigration protests erupted into violence in Johannesburg’s Soweto township and the coastal city of Durban.
Police said clashes broke out on Thursday as demonstrators confronted foreign nationals amid growing anger over a court ruling that requires the government to allow some migrants to apply for asylum despite irregular entry or missed immigration deadlines.
The unrest intensified after allegations that a foreign national had assaulted one of the protesters in Durban. Police said three foreign nationals had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.
In Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal province, protesters gathered outside a government refugee reception centre, demanding that it stop accepting asylum applications.
Police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds as businesses in the city centre closed their doors amid fears of further violence.
“There were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals,” senior local police officer Xolani Fihla told state broadcaster SABC.
“At the present moment, I can confirm that no injuries have been reported,” he added.
Police reported that 14 vehicles were torched in Durban and another 10 in Soweto, where gunshots were also reported during confrontations between residents and foreign shopkeepers.
Foreign-Owned Shops Targeted In Soweto
In Orlando West, a neighbourhood in Soweto, residents initially gathered to demand the closure of small convenience stores, locally known as spaza shops, operated by foreign nationals.
Local media reported that protesters forced foreign traders out of some areas, attacked shops and set a building on fire.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property, while police said reinforcements had been deployed to prevent further violence.
Authorities have pledged to pursue those responsible for the attacks and damage.
The unrest has raised fresh concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and their businesses in a country that has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence.
Court Ruling Fuels Anti-Immigration Protests
The latest demonstrations follow a July ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court that struck down restrictions preventing some people from applying for asylum based on how they entered the country or whether they missed immigration deadlines.
The ruling means asylum seekers must be allowed to submit applications even if they entered South Africa without the required documents.
The decision has prompted hundreds of people to gather at refugee reception centres, fuelling anger among anti-immigration campaigners who fear it will encourage undocumented migration.
However, government spokesman William Baloyi told Reuters that false claims about the judgment had been deliberately circulated, creating the impression that undocumented migrants would automatically receive legal status.
Baloyi said the ruling did not automatically grant applicants refugee status or the right to remain permanently in South Africa.
Authorities maintain that applications will be assessed individually and that applicants will remain subject to immigration checks.
Fresh Unrest Follows Months Of Demonstrations
Earlier this year, anti-immigration groups staged weeks of demonstrations demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa by June 30.
The protests forced tens of thousands of migrants to flee, with some returning to their home countries through repatriation programmes organised by their governments.
South Africa has struggled with xenophobic violence for nearly two decades. In 2008, more than 60 people were killed and tens of thousands displaced during widespread attacks on foreign nationals.
The latest unrest comes amid widespread poverty, deep inequality and unemployment affecting roughly a third of the workforce.
Foreign nationals are frequently accused by some campaigners of taking jobs, contributing to crime and placing pressure on public services. However, researchers say broad claims blaming migrants for these problems are not supported by evidence.
Despite its economic challenges, South Africa remains one of the continent’s main destinations for people seeking employment, safety and better opportunities.
Police have deployed additional officers to affected areas as authorities seek to contain the violence and prevent further attacks on businesses and foreign nationals.
