24 vehicles torched in Soweto and Durban as anti-migrant protests turn violent in South Africa
Protesters set fire to 10 vehicles in Soweto and 14 in Durban on Thursday, and shops owned by foreign nationals were looted.
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The agitation against migrants in South Africa turned violent on October 8. Protesters set vehicles on fire in the Soweto area of Johannesburg and in the city of Durban. Shops belonging to foreign nationals were also reported to have been looted.
In all, 24 vehicles were burnt in the violence that erupted on Thursday: 10 in Soweto and 14 in Durban. Some shops were also vandalised and looted. Police had to deploy additional personnel to bring the situation under control. In Durban, the fire brigade struggled to control the blaze.
The shops that were targeted belonged to foreign nationals. This created an atmosphere of fear among both local traders and migrants. Police warned that strict action would be taken against those damaging public property.
The agitation is said to be linked to a court ruling on applications by foreign nationals seeking asylum. In its judgment in July, South Africa's Constitutional Court had said a person cannot be denied the chance to apply for asylum merely because they entered the country illegally or did not meet certain procedural conditions.
However, the ruling does not mean that all illegal migrants automatically get permanent residence or refugee status. According to the government, wrong information was spread about the ruling and this fuelled public anger. Protesters had demanded that the process of accepting asylum applications be stopped.
After the violence, South Africa's Home Affairs Ministry on October 9 withdrew its recent administrative directive permitting the acceptance of asylum applications. With the rise in the number of applicants, offices meant for refugees had become overcrowded beyond capacity. The safety of staff and public order had also become a concern.
Meanwhile, police said the situation in Soweto and Durban is now stable. Three foreign nationals have also reportedly been arrested in cases linked to the violence. Police have warned of action against those who burnt vehicles and looted shops.
South Africa has seen agitations before over unemployment, economic inequality and migration. Social scientists say there is no solid evidence for the claim that foreign nationals cause rising unemployment and crime. After this violence, the question of migrants' safety and the country's social harmony has come to the fore again.
