24 Vehicles Torched in South Africa Protests

At least 24 vehicles were burned and shops looted in Johannesburg and Durban as protests against a court ruling easing access to asylum turned violent, prompting police to promise arrests.

Protests Turn Violent in Two Cities

At least 24 vehicles were set on fire during protests in two South African cities on Thursday, while shops were looted amid rising tensions over immigration and asylum procedures. The violence occurred in Soweto, Johannesburg, and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said 10 vehicles were torched in Soweto, while 14 were burned in Durban. Three people were arrested in Durban in connection with the unrest.

Police Promise Action Against Perpetrators

Dimpane condemned the destruction of property and warned that authorities would pursue those responsible for the attacks. She said police would not allow the violence, vehicle burnings or attacks on people to continue.

She also vowed that those involved in setting the vehicles alight would be tracked down and arrested. The police response comes amid growing concerns over public safety and the potential for further unrest linked to immigration-related tensions.

Court Ruling Sparks Opposition

The demonstrations were organised in opposition to a Constitutional Court decision that removed procedural barriers affecting access to asylum applications. Protesters have argued against the ruling as part of wider demands for stricter immigration enforcement.

The demonstrations follow months of anti-immigrant tension in South Africa, with some groups calling for the deportation of foreign nationals who are living in the country illegally. The latest unrest highlights the continuing divisions surrounding immigration, asylum rights and the treatment of foreign nationals.

Soweto Violence Near Home Affairs Office

In Soweto, violence erupted near a Department of Home Affairs office in Orlando West, according to metro police spokesperson Xolani Fihla. Images of the aftermath showed several burned-out vehicles lining the streets as authorities responded to the incident.

No injuries were reported in the Soweto violence. Police were also investigating whether additional vehicles had been burned, raising the possibility that the final number of damaged vehicles could increase.

Tensions Over Immigration Continue

The protests reflect ongoing disputes over South Africa’s immigration policies and the rights of people seeking asylum. While demonstrators have demanded the removal of undocumented foreign nationals, the court ruling has brought renewed attention to the legal procedures governing asylum applications.

Authorities have warned that violence and property destruction will not be tolerated as investigations continue. Police are expected to pursue those suspected of involvement in the vehicle burnings and looting, while the incidents underscore the challenge of addressing immigration concerns without further unrest.