The United States has issued a security warning over reports of looting and violence targeting foreign nationals in Durban’s central business district (CBD).
This social unrest grew following South Africa’s decision to reopen its asylum system to new applicants.
The US Consulate General in Durban said it was aware of reports of unrest on Wednesday, 7 October, near the Bayside Hotel on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, formerly West Street.
“US government personnel have been instructed to exercise extreme caution in this area and divert travel as needed until further notice,” the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa said.
It advised people to avoid the area, crowds, and demonstrations, keep a low profile and remain aware of their surroundings.
It also urged people to monitor local media, review their personal security plans and contact the South African Police Service on 10111, or 112 from a mobile phone, in an emergency.
The warning follows a tense situation outside the Department of Home Affairs’ Durban Refugee Reception Centre, where thousands of foreign nationals gathered after Home Affairs instructed its offices not to turn away people seeking to apply for asylum.
The directive followed a Constitutional Court ruling that found parts of the Refugees Act unconstitutional and required the asylum system to reopen to new applicants.
On Wednesday morning, a queue of about 1,000 foreign nationals reportedly stretched along Che Guevara Road towards the refugee reception centre.
The situation became volatile when members of anti-illegal immigration groups arrived carrying sticks and sjamboks. The foreign nationals subsequently left the area, fearing for their safety.
Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba, leader of the anti-illegal immigration group Insizwa Nobunsizwa, said the group was there to demonstrate against the Constitutional Court ruling.
“What we came here for, firstly, is to protect our people who are marching and secondly to protect the foreigners,” Ndabandaba said.
“Because you must understand, we live with these people. We just don’t want the system the way it’s operating.”
The debate over the Constitutional Court ruling
The unrest comes amid a broader debate over the practical consequences of South Africa’s decision to reopen its asylum system, with concerns that the move could add further pressure to already stretched state resources.
However, migration experts have stressed that being allowed to apply for asylum does not mean an applicant will automatically be granted refugee status or allowed to remain in South Africa permanently.
