South Africa Anti-Immigration Protests Turn Violent as 24 Vehicles Are Set Ablaze

Police in South Africa have reported that at least 24 vehicles were set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted after anti-immigration demonstrations escalated into violence in Johannesburg and Durban.

The unrest erupted on Thursday in Soweto, a large township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, and Durban, a major coastal city in the eastern part of the country.

The demonstrations come amid rising tensions over a court decision directing the government to remove restrictions that prevented some migrants from applying for asylum in South Africa.

The country has a long history of xenophobic violence, with foreign nationals, particularly those from other African countries, frequently becoming targets of attacks.

Alleged Assault Triggers Clashes in Durban

The demonstrations reportedly escalated after allegations emerged that a foreign national had assaulted one of the protesters in Durban. Police confirmed that three foreign nationals had been arrested in connection with the alleged incident.

In Durban, located in KwaZulu-Natal Province, protesters gathered outside a government refugee reception centre, demanding that officials stop accepting asylum applications.

As tensions mounted, police deployed rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, while businesses in parts of the city centre closed to protect their premises.

Senior local police officer Xolani Fihla, speaking to South Africa’s state broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), said clashes occurred between South African nationals and foreign residents.

Fihla added that no injuries had been reported at the time of his statement.

According to police, 14 vehicles were set ablaze in Durban, while another 10 were torched in Soweto. Gunshots were also reportedly heard during confrontations between residents and foreign shop owners in the township.

Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property and the violence associated with the demonstrations.

Foreign-Owned Shops Targeted in Soweto

In Orlando West, a neighbourhood in Soweto, residents initially assembled to demand the closure of small convenience stores commonly known as spaza shops, some of which are operated by foreign nationals.

However, the protest reportedly escalated, with demonstrators forcing foreign traders to leave certain areas. Local media also reported attacks on shops and a building being set on fire.

Police subsequently deployed additional officers to areas affected by the unrest in an effort to prevent further attacks and restore order.

Authorities have pledged to take action against those responsible for the destruction of property and other offences committed during the protests.

Court Ruling Fuels Anti-Immigration Sentiment

The latest violence follows a July ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court, the country’s highest judicial authority, which overturned restrictions that prevented certain people from applying for asylum because of the manner in which they entered the country or their failure to meet immigration deadlines.

Under the judgment, asylum seekers must be given the opportunity to submit applications even when they entered South Africa without the required documentation.

The decision has reportedly drawn large numbers of people to refugee reception centres, intensifying opposition among anti-immigration campaigners who fear the ruling could encourage more undocumented migration.

However, government spokesman William Baloyi told Reuters that misleading claims about the judgment had circulated, creating the false impression that undocumented migrants would automatically receive legal status.

Baloyi explained that the ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residency to applicants.

Government officials maintain that asylum applications will continue to undergo individual assessments and that applicants remain subject to the country’s immigration procedures.

South Africa’s Long-Running Xenophobia Challenge

The latest unrest follows months of anti-immigration demonstrations earlier in the year, when groups campaigning against undocumented migration demanded that foreign nationals without legal status leave South Africa by June 30.

The protests reportedly contributed to the departure of tens of thousands of migrants, some of whom returned to their home countries through repatriation programmes organised by their governments.

South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the past two decades. In 2008, widespread attacks against foreign nationals left more than 60 people dead and displaced tens of thousands of others.

The recurring tensions have developed against a background of widespread poverty, significant economic inequality and high unemployment, which affects roughly one-third of the country’s workforce.

Foreign nationals are often blamed for taking jobs, contributing to crime and putting additional pressure on public services. However, researchers have questioned such broad generalisations, noting that claims linking migrants collectively to these problems are not supported by sufficient evidence.

Despite these challenges, South Africa remains a major destination for people from across Africa seeking employment, personal security and improved economic opportunities.

The latest violence has once again raised concerns about the safety of foreign residents, the protection of businesses and the government’s ability to address immigration-related tensions without allowing attacks on individuals and property.

Additional source: BBC