Cars Burn, Shops Looted as Xenophobic Violence Erupts in South Africa
Oluwatobi Adu 
South Africa – At least 24 vehicles were burnt in Johannesburg and Durban as xenophobic violence erupted in South Africa following a court ruling that eased certain asylum-related entry requirements, triggering unrest, looting and attacks on property.
The violence broke out on Thursday, when angry crowds took to the streets of Soweto and Durban in response to the judgment, which expanded asylum options for migrants who lacked transit visas or had missed specified deadlines.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane confirmed the scale of the destruction, saying, “At least 10 vehicles were burnt down in Johannesburg and 14 in Durban.”
In Durban, overnight disorder spread through the central business district, where looters reportedly emptied shops, damaged buildings and set vehicles ablaze, according to reports by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Videos circulating on social media showed burning vehicles, damaged storefronts and people carrying goods away from affected businesses as the unrest intensified.
The violence has renewed concerns about attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, where tensions over migration have repeatedly sparked hostility towards people perceived as outsiders.
The unrest also followed a warning by the United States consulate a day earlier about growing threats of violence and property attacks targeting foreign nationals in Durban.
The warning underscored concerns that tensions could escalate into further attacks on businesses and communities.
The latest incidents place renewed pressure on South African authorities to restore order, protect residents and businesses, and prevent hostility towards migrants from escalating into further violence.
While the court ruling triggered the latest protests, the reported destruction highlights the potential consequences when disputes over migration and asylum policies spill into violence against people and property.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah 
Hope Ajayi