Tensions over South Africa's asylum ruling have spilled onto the streets, with protests and clashes reported in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape. Communities are demanding government intervention over the influx of asylum seekers at Home Affairs offices and refugee reception centres. The protests have resulted in the shutdown of businesses and vandalism of property. Residents in Orlando West, Soweto, shut down two spaza shops operated by foreign nationals late on Thursday.
In Soweto, nine vehicles were torched while others were vandalised amid the tensions, with residents looting foreign-owned shops late on Thursday night. Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Superintendent Xolani Fihla said the clashes between South Africans and foreign nationals ignited the protest. He said they were investigating allegations that gunshots were fired against South African protesters, which could have led to the vehicles being set alight.
Gauteng police confirmed clashes between community members and foreign nationals in Soweto, but said they were still investigating what triggered the confrontation. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said officers remained on high alert in the area, with Crime Intelligence teams on the ground trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the clashes and reports of gunfire.
One person was arrested for looting, and investigations continued as police intelligence teams remained on the ground. KwaZulu-Natal has seen mounting tensions this week since Home Affairs began implementing measures to give effect to the Constitutional Court judgment and asylum seekers started arriving at the Durban Refugee Reception Centre in large numbers.
On Thursday, the situation escalated in Durban, with seven vehicles set alight as protesters opposed to illegal immigration moved through parts of the city and targeted businesses owned by foreign nationals. The unrest followed clashes outside the Home Affairs refugee reception centre on Che Guevara Road, where hundreds of asylum seekers had gathered after being allowed to access the asylum application process.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police were informed that one person had allegedly been assaulted by foreign nationals and sustained a broken leg. Three foreign nationals were arrested and are believed to be the ones who assaulted the person who was injured. The situation remained under investigation as Public Order Policing officers worked to contain the unrest.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and some of her supporters camped outside the refugee centre overnight, vowing to continue demonstrating until the government finds a way out of the situation. Ngobese-Zuma said that several people arrived to queue outside the refugee centre but turned back and left after seeing the protesters. Amin Khumalo, a protester, said he joined the protest because the government was failing to listen to the people on the ground.
Key points
- Protests and clashes have erupted in South Africa over the asylum ruling, with vehicles torched and shops vandalised in Soweto and Durban.
- The protests are a result of mounting tensions over the influx of asylum seekers at Home Affairs offices and refugee reception centres.
- The situation remains under investigation, with police intelligence teams on the ground trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the clashes.
