{
  "id": 13077326,
  "title": "Home Affairs withdraws asylum directive as Schreiber defends reversal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-withdraws-asylum-directive-as-schreiber-defends-reversal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T09:00:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mail and Guardian",
    "slug": "mail-and-guardian",
    "url": "https://mg.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-10-09-home-affairs-withdraws-asylum-directive-as-schreiber-defends-reversal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive that expanded the intake of asylum seeker applications.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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nHome 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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Home Affairs withdraws directive on asylum seeker applications",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-withdraws-directive-on-asylum-seeker-applications",
        "published": "2026-10-09T05:41:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "AllAfrica",
        "title": "South Africa: Home Affairs Withdraws Asylum Directive After Violent Anti-Immigration Protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/south-africa-home-affairs-withdraws-asylum-directive-after-violent",
        "published": "2026-10-09T06:35:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Home Affairs makes U-turn on asylum application directive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-makes-u-turn-on-asylum-application-directive",
        "published": "2026-10-09T06:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Home Affairs withdraws directive on asylum seeker applications",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-withdraws-directive-on-asylum-seeker-applications-13054818",
        "published": "2026-10-09T07:00:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "CMRL pay-off case: Kerala HC directive no setback to govt, will act after studying order, says Home Minister Chennithala",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/cmrl-pay-off-case-kerala-hc-directive-no-setback-to-govt-will-act",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:00:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mail and Guardian",
        "title": "Home Affairs withdraws asylum directive as Schreiber defends reversal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-withdraws-asylum-directive-as-schreiber-defends-reversal-13084155",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:03:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "ANTI-FOREIGNER UNREST: Home Affairs scraps asylum seeker directive after violence in Durban and Soweto",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/anti-foreigner-unrest-home-affairs-scraps-asylum-seeker-directive",
        "published": "2026-10-09T10:36:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}