{
  "id": 13091439,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T10:36:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-09-home-affairs-scraps-asylum-seeker-directive-after-violence-in-durban-and-soweto/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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 The directive, issued on September 28, 2026, aimed to streamline the asylum process but was withdrawn due to intense strain on Refugee Reception Offices and heightened xenophobic violence.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.",
  "summary": "The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn its directive regarding the intake of asylum-seeker applications. This follows severe operational strain on Refugee Reception Offices and violent protests in Durban and Soweto. The department will start from scratch to draft a sustainable plan that meets the requirements set by the Constitutional Court.",
  "key_points": [
    "Home Affairs cancels asylum directive amid Durban, Soweto violence.",
    "Directive aimed to simplify asylum process, withdrawn due to strain.",
    "Constitutional Court ruled certain provisions unconstitutional in July."
  ],
  "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",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:00:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "Home Affairs withdraws asylum directive after refugee offices overwhelmed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/home-affairs-withdraws-asylum-directive-after-refugee-offices",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:00:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}