ANTI-FOREIGNER UNREST: Home Affairs scraps asylum seeker directive after violence in Durban and Soweto

The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has abandoned its directive allowing asylum seekers to apply for status, following violent protests in Durban and Soweto. The directive, issued on September 28, 2026, aimed to streamline the asylum process but was withdrawn due to intense strain on Refugee Reception Offices and heightened xenophobic violence.

On October 9, 2026, Home Affairs announced the end of the directive, stating that it had led to operational difficulties and safety concerns. The decision came after a Constitutional Court ruling in July, which deemed certain provisions of the Refugees Act unconstitutional, particularly those that could impede a merit-based assessment of asylum claims.

Despite the ruling, anti-immigrant groups and some politicians misrepresented the directive, fueling xenophobic sentiment. Anti-immigrant protests in Durban and Soweto resulted in injuries, vehicle burnings, and looting in foreign-owned shops. The Home Affairs spokeswoman emphasized that asylum seekers would still need to undergo the formal Refugee Status Determination process, adhering to strict international and domestic legal criteria.