IN PICS: Unrest escalates over asylum seeker ruling

Friday 09 October 2026 - 15:06pm

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Firefighters spray water into a burning vehicle following clashes between local residents and foreign nationals in Soweto on October 8, 2026.

Firefighters spray water into a burning vehicle following clashes between local residents and foreign nationals in Soweto on October 8, 2026.

A car is set alight after clashes erupted between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026

A car is set alight after clashes erupted between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers fire rubber bullets as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers fire rubber bullets as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

A man runs for cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

A man runs for cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) assist residents to take cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) assist residents to take cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Cars are set alight after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Cars are set alight after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

A vehicle has been torched in the Constitutional Hill Human Rights Precinct. Supplied

Police officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban. AFP/Rajesh Jantilal

Outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban. AFP

Outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban. AFP

Twenty vehicles have been torched in Soweto and Durban. Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Firefighters spray water into a burning vehicle following clashes between local residents and foreign nationals in Soweto on October 8, 2026.

A car is set alight after clashes erupted between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers fire rubber bullets as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

A man runs for cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) assist residents to take cover after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Cars are set alight after clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

Protestors from the anti-illegal immigration group, March and March Movement chant slogans and march outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre during a demonstration at the Che Guevara Road in Durban, on October 8, 2026.

A vehicle has been torched in the Constitutional Hill Human Rights Precinct. Supplied

Police officers intervene as clashes erupt between protesters and foreign nationals in Durban. AFP/Rajesh Jantilal

Outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban. AFP

Outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban. AFP

Twenty vehicles have been torched in Soweto and Durban. Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG - Protests have erupted over a Constitutional Court ruling that says individuals must be given a fair chance to apply for asylum, whether they are documented or not.

The violent protests have erupted in parts of eThekwini and Soweto.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said Home Affairs must fast-track checks for asylum seekers.

The Home Affairs Department has now withdrawn its directive on processing those applications following the violence.

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