Anti-Immigrant Violence Escalates After South Africa's Constitutional Court Eases Asylum Application Restrictions: Vehicles Torched, Shops Looted in Soweto and Durban

Anti-foreigner violence erupted in Soweto and Durban, South Africa, on Thursday, with immigrant-operated shops looted and at least 24 vehicles set ablaze. According to Africanews, on October 8, 10 vehicles were set on fire in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, near a Department of Home Affairs office. Similar unrest occurred in Durban on the same day, with riot police deployed to the scene, where police said 14 vehicles were burned. Firefighters battled the burning vehicles while police closed nearby roads.

The violence followed a Constitutional Court ruling issued in July. According to Africanews, the ruling removed procedural barriers that had prevented some immigrants, including those who entered the country illegally, from applying for asylum. Authorities said refugee reception offices have been overwhelmed with applicants, and the government has pledged to expand processing capacity and strengthen identity verification, stressing that the ruling does not automatically confer refugee status.

The Home Affairs office, which handles asylum applications, became a site of the violence, placing the administrative system under direct pressure as it implements the judicially established right to asylum. Police reported no casualties in the Soweto incident and warned that perpetrators of violence and destruction will face prosecution.