South Africa: Cars Torched and Shops Looted as Anti-Migrant Protests Turn Violent

Anti-immigration protests in South Africa have turned violent, with at least 24 vehicles set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted in Soweto and Durban, according to police.

The unrest erupted on Thursday as demonstrators gathered over immigration concerns, including a court ruling requiring authorities to remove certain barriers that had prevented some migrants from applying for asylum.

In Durban, protesters gathered outside a refugee reception centre, demanding that it stop accepting asylum applications. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds, while businesses in parts of the city closed as tensions escalated. Police reported that 14 vehicles were set on fire in Durban and another 10 in Soweto, where gunshots were also reported.

South African authorities have warned against the destruction of property and pledged to pursue those responsible. The government has also clarified that the court ruling does not automatically grant undocumented migrants refugee status or permanent residence; applications must still undergo individual assessment.

The latest violence highlights South Africa’s longstanding challenges with xenophobia, unemployment, poverty and inequality. Researchers have cautioned that broad claims blaming migrants for crime and job losses are not supported by evidence, even as frustrations over economic hardship continue to fuel anti-immigration sentiment.

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