Anti-immigrant mob threatens violence in Pretoria; Home Affairs reverses asylum reopening
Violent anti-foreigner groups in Pretoria threatened to burn women and children, prompting Home Affairs to reverse its decision to reopen the asylum system. The incident follows clashes in multiple cities, indicating a broader wave of xenophobic unrest. The reversal signals a policy setback and heightened risk to asylum seekers, though the scale of violence remains uncertain.
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South Africa — 5 developments
South Africa: Anti-Immigration Riots Escalate, Asylum Policy Reversed
Violent anti-immigration protests have escalated in South Africa, specifically in Soweto, Durban, and Pretoria, following a Constitutional Court ruling and subsequent government directive to ease asylum application restrictions. The unrest, characterized by car burnings, shop looting, and threats against migrants, prompted the Department of Home Affairs to reverse its asylum reopening policy. The extent of organized involvement in the backlash remains unclear.