A group of anti-immigration protesters moved through the Johannesburg CBD under police watch on October 9, 2026, after a car was torched outside the Constitutional Court. The protesters were dispersed by police, but it is unclear who is responsible for the damage. The protesters had gathered outside the Constitutional Court to protest against illegal immigration and the handling of asylum applications following the court's ruling on the matter.
The protesters have now moved to the KwaMaiMai precinct in Johannesburg's CBD, where they continue to chant against foreign nationals in the country illegally, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa. The crowd can be heard chanting "abahambe", meaning "they must leave", alongside slogans criticizing Ramaphosa. The march comes after the Home Affairs Department withdrew a directive it had issued in response to the judgment.
The announcement of the withdrawal has not satisfied the protesters, who are now taking their message through the city centre. Police have been escorting the crowd as it moves through Johannesburg. The situation is developing, with the focus now on how the march proceeds. The protesters' actions have caused concern among residents and business owners in the area.
The anti-immigration protests are part of a larger wave of demonstrations that have taken place across South Africa in recent days. In Durban, shopkeepers have counted losses after violent inner-city protests, and three houses and a motorbike were torched in Umbilo amid volatile anti-illegal immigration protests. The protests have also led to the arrest of four people in Joburg CBD.
The Home Affairs Department has withdrawn a directive it had issued in response to the Constitutional Court's ruling on asylum seeker applications. The directive was intended to address the overwhelming number of applications, but it has not satisfied the protesters. The Department has stated that the withdrawal is intended to allow for further consultation and engagement with stakeholders.
The protests have sparked concerns about the impact on the economy and social stability. The City of Johannesburg has urged residents to remain calm and to report any incidents of violence or damage to the authorities. The police have been deployed to maintain order and to escort the protesters as they move through the city.
The situation remains volatile, with further protests and demonstrations expected in the coming days. The government has called for calm and has urged protesters to engage in peaceful demonstrations. Four people have been arrested in connection with the protests in Joburg CBD, and the police are continuing to investigate incidents of violence and damage.
Key points
- Police escorted anti-immigration protesters as they marched through Johannesburg CBD on October 9, 2026.
- The protests are part of a larger wave of demonstrations against illegal immigration and the handling of asylum applications.
- The situation remains volatile, with further protests and demonstrations expected in the coming days.
