Story summary
On October 8, 2026, anti-migrant protests turned violent in two major South African cities: Soweto, outside Johannesburg, and Durban. In Durban, five cars were set on fire, and foreign-owned shops were looted, while in Soweto, a Somali shop owner was chased away by protesters. These incidents followed a July ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court, which struck down restrictions preventing some asylum seekers from applying for refuge based on procedural reasons such as illegal entry or missed deadlines.
The South African government blamed disinformation campaigns for inciting violence, noting that the court did not grant automatic refugee status or permanent residence to these individuals. Government spokesperson William Baloyi highlighted that false information about the ruling had been widely spread, fueling public anger and unrest. The protests were partly fueled by local fears of increased undocumented migration, leading hundreds of people to gather at refugee reception centers in both cities.
Police intervened with rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Durban after allegations of an assault involving a foreign national sparked further violence. Three individuals were arrested for their involvement in the alleged attack. This event underscores ongoing tensions and occasional outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting migrants from neighboring countries, reflecting deep-seated issues surrounding immigration and asylum policies within South Africa.
Written for “Anti Migrant Violence In South Africa” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
At least 24 vehicles have been set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted in South Africa as anti-immigration protests descended into violence in two major cities, police say.
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police → publish → cities
Clashes broke out on Thursday in Soweto, a sprawling township outside Johannesburg, the country's largest city, and Durban, a major port on the east coast.
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Clashes → break → coast
The violence comes amid growing anger over a court ruling requiring the government to remove barriers that had prevented some migrants from applying for asylum.
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that → come → asylum
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence, often targeting migrants from neighbouring countries.
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Africa → experience → countries
Thursday's demonstration turned violent following allegations that a foreign national had assaulted one of the protesters in Durban.
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national → turn → Durban
Three foreign nationals were arrested in connection with the alleged assault, police said.
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police → arrest → assault
In Durban, in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, protesters gathered outside a government refugee reception centre demanding that it stop accepting asylum applications.
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it → gather → applications
Police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds as businesses in the city centre shut their doors.
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businesses → fire → doors
"There were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," Xolani Fihla, a senior local police officer, told the SABC.
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Fihla → be → SABC
"At the present moment, I can confirm that no injuries have been reported," he added.
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he → confirm → moment
Police said 14 vehicles were torched in Durban and 10 in Soweto, where gunshots were also reported during confrontations between South African residents and foreign shopkeepers.
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gunshots → say → residents
Acting national police commissioner Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane condemned the destruction of property.
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Dimpane → act → property
In Orlando West, a neighbourhood of Soweto, residents had initially gathered to demand the closure of small convenience stores, known locally as spaza shops, operated by foreign nationals.
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residents → gather → nationals
Protesters forced foreign traders out of some areas, while shops were attacked and a building was set on fire, local media reported.
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media → force → fire
Police said reinforcements had been deployed to prevent further violence.
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reinforcements → say → violence
The authorities have promised to pursue those responsible for the destruction.
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authorities → promise → destruction
The latest unrest follows a July ruling by South Africa's Constitutional Court, the country's highest court, which struck down restrictions preventing some people from seeking asylum because of how they entered the country or missed immigration deadlines.
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they → follow → deadlines
The judgment means asylum seekers must be allowed to submit applications, even if they entered South Africa without the required documents.
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they → mean → documents
It has prompted hundreds of people to gather at refugee reception centres, fuelling anger among anti-immigration campaigners who fear the decision will encourage undocumented migration.
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decision → prompt → migration
Government spokesman William Baloyi told Reuters news agency that people had deliberately spread false claims about the judgment, creating the impression that undocumented migrants would automatically be granted legal status.
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migrants → tell → status
Baloyi insisted that the ruling does not automatically give migrants refugee status or the right to remain permanently in South Africa.
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ruling → insist → Africa
Officials say applications will still be assessed individually and applicants will remain subject to immigration checks.
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applicants → say → checks
Earlier this year, anti-immigration groups staged weeks of demonstrations demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by 30 June.
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nationals → stag → June
The protests forced tens of thousands of migrants to flee, with some returning home through repatriation programmes organised by their governments.
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some → force → governments
South Africa has struggled with xenophobic attacks for nearly two decades.
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Africa → struggle → decades
In 2008, more than 60 people were killed and tens of thousands displaced during widespread attacks on foreign nationals.
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thousands → kill → nationals
The latest unrest comes against a backdrop of widespread poverty, deep inequality and unemployment affecting roughly a third of the workforce.
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unrest → come → workforce
Migrants are frequently accused of taking jobs, contributing to crime and placing pressure on public services, although researchers say such sweeping claims are not supported by evidence.
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claims → accuse → evidence
Despite its economic difficulties, South Africa remains one of the continent's main destinations for migrants seeking employment, safety and better opportunities.
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Africa → remain → employment
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