South Africa suspends new directive on processing asylum applications
The directive was issued by the Interior Ministry in response to a court judgment.
The court ruled that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to the South African asylum system solely for procedural reasons, such as entering the country illegally.
Asylum seekers’ offices were quickly overwhelmed, putting officers at serious risk, the Interior Ministry said.
Indeed, the court’s decision gave rise to days of protests in the large coastal city of Durban, which then spread on Thursday to the township of Soweto, in Johannesburg.
Rioters burned 14 cars in Durban and 10 in Soweto. Stores were looted in both locations.
What else do we know about the protests in South Africa?
The unrest in Durban followed a protest by a group demanding that a refugee center stop processing asylum applications. Vehicles were overturned and set on fire. Foreign-owned stores were also looted.
Meanwhile, in Soweto, residents clashed with foreign traders and gunshots were heard, according to Newzroom Afrika television.
“Clashes were reported to have taken place in the area between foreign nationals and South African nationals,” Johannesburg Metropolitan Police spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said in an interview on SABC television. “At this time I can confirm that no injuries have been reported.”
What is the court decision that sparked the protests?
The court ruling that sparked an outbreak of xenophobic tensions ruled that certain provisions of the government’s refugee policy were unconstitutional.
Recently, the move has led hundreds of people, including those who do not qualify for asylum, to flock to government refugee centers.
On Wednesday, the government stressed that the judgment “does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residency to anyone entering South Africa.”
Xenophobic sentiment in South Africa: what you need to know
South Africa has seen months of anti-immigrant protests this year. Populist and anti-immigrant groups have demanded that undocumented foreigners leave the country by June 30.
Facing international criticism, tens of thousands of people have fled the country, while some have been repatriated by their governments.
Even though South Africa has a third of its population unemployed, it remains Africa’s largest economy and continues to attract migrants.
Migrants are often blamed for taking jobs, fueling crime and straining public services. However, social scientists say these accusations are not supported by any evidence.
Edited by: Sean Sinico and Roshni Majumdar
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