Home Affairs withdraws asylum directive as Schreiber defends reversal

The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive that expanded the intake of asylum seeker applications. According to SABC News, the directive was issued on September 28 without the knowledge or involvement of the Minister or any political office-bearers. The implementation of the directive overwhelmed Refugee Reception Offices, placed officials at risk, and raised public safety concerns.

The withdrawal of the directive comes after violent anti-immigrant protests erupted in Soweto and Durban, with reports of clashes between foreign nationals and local residents. In Soweto, at least 10 vehicles were torched and damaged, with an exchange of gunfire during the clashes. The South African National Defence Force and police have been deployed in the area to maintain order.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber defended the withdrawal of the directive, stating that it was necessary to ensure public safety. The department will now begin a fresh process to determine how best to comply with a Constitutional Court judgment while ensuring the safe and effective operation of asylum services, as per SABC News.

Brief written by urgent.news from Mail and Guardian, The Hindu, SABC News — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.