South African protesters clashed with foreign nationals on Thursday, police and an AFP reporter said, as a court order requiring the government to restart processing asylum applications reignited tensions over migration.
Violence broke out in Soweto, in Johannesburg, and in the east coast port city of Durban. Several cars were torched and foreign-run businesses were forced to close. It followed protests called by movements targeting undocumented migrants, which were behind waves of demonstrations earlier this year that forced tens of thousands of people from other African countries to flee.
In Durban, an allegation that a foreign national assaulted a South African demonstrator sparked violence in which at least 14 vehicles were burned, police said. Three foreign nationals were arrested. An AFP reporter said a foreigner’s business was burned down and other properties looted, while some migrants sought protection from security reinforcements.
In Soweto, at least nine vehicles were torched, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Superintendent Xolani Fihla told SABC television. He said no injuries had been reported so far.
The court ruled that certain provisions of a government act on refugees are unconstitutional because they block some people from the asylum system on procedural grounds, including irregular entry. Hundreds have since flocked to government refugee centres, reportedly including people who do not qualify for asylum.
The government said on Wednesday that the judgement does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence to anyone entering the country.
