South Africa withdraws asylum directive after anti-immigrant protests turn violent2026-10-13The Home Affairs Department scrapped a directive requiring refugee offices to process more asylum applications, saying its rollout overwhelmed offices and raised safety concerns.Violence in Johannesburg and Durban left at least 24 vehicles burned, while shops owned by foreign nationals were looted.The protests followed a Constitutional Court ruling that removed procedural barriers preventing some people from applying for asylum.The department said it would begin a fresh process.The Constitutional Court judgment remains binding despite the directive's withdrawal.Home Affairs withdraws asylum directive as Schreiber defends reversal (Mail & Guardian)Home Affairs scraps asylum seeker directive after violence (Daily Maverick)South Africa scraps asylum directive after anti-immigrant violence (Daily Sabah)Anti-immigrant mob threatens to burn women and children (GroundUp)‘SA is not an option’: March and March welcomes withdrawal of asylum directive (The South African)South Africa protests turn violent amid rage over asylum ruling (Al Jazeera)