SA360 NEWS

  South Africa Withdraws Asylum Directive Following Violent Protests in Soweto and Durban SA360 NEWS | Politics & Immigration | 9 October 2026 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive governing the intake of asylum applications following violent protests in Soweto and Durban that left vehicles destroyed and businesses damaged. The announcement was made on Friday, 9 October 2026, after officials raised concerns about growing pressure on refugee reception offices, the safety of government employees and threats to public order. Why Was the Asylum Directive Withdrawn? The directive was issued on 28 September 2026 to help implement a Constitutional Court judgment delivered on 7 July in a case involving the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town. The judgment addressed procedural barriers preventing certain asylum seekers from having their applications considered, including restrictions linked to irregular entry into South Africa. Acco...

  Burned vehicles following violent protests in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 8 October 2026. Photo: Reuters/Stringer. South Africa Protests: 24 Cars Torched in Soweto, Durban JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — South African police have appealed for calm following violent protests in Soweto and Durban that left at least 24 vehicles burned, businesses damaged and communities facing heightened tensions over the country's asylum system. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane warned that those responsible for violence, intimidation and destruction of property would face legal consequences. The unrest erupted on Thursday, 8 October, following demonstrations linked to a Constitutional Court ruling affecting asylum applications. At Least 24 Vehicles Burned in Two Cities Police figures reported by the Associated Press indicate that 10 vehicles were set alight in Soweto, Johannesburg, while another 14 were burned in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. SABC News subseq...

  South Africa Protests Turn Violent in Durban and Soweto Published: 8 October 2026 | Category: South Africa Violent anti-migrant protests erupted in parts of South Africa on Thursday, with vehicles set alight in Durban and Soweto and reports of gunfire in the Johannesburg township. According to Reuters, the incidents occurred amid continuing tensions surrounding immigration, employment and access to public services. Vehicles Burned and Shops Looted in Durban In Durban, unrest followed a demonstration by a group demanding that a refugee centre stop processing asylum applications. Local media reports cited by Reuters indicated that approximately 10 vehicles were overturned and set on fire. Shops owned by foreign nationals were also reportedly looted during the unrest. The incidents raised concerns about public safety and the protection of businesses operating in affected communities. Gunfire Reported in Soweto In Soweto, confrontations between residents and foreign shop owners escal...