Anti-immigration protest causes looting and clashes with police

A south African police today used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse groups of anti-immigration protesters who looted and vandalized properties in Durban, the main port city of the Indian Ocean.

This latest wave of urban violence began on Thursday when the groups mobilized in Durban and Johannesburg to protest a government directive ordering refugee reception centres to process asylum applications after a July decision by the Constitutional Court.

The superior court ruled that certain procedural obstacles imposed on asylum seekers violated the South African Constitution, reaffirming the right of anyone who entered the country illegally to seek asylum.

In the hope of mitigating tensions, the government today announced the repeal of the directive to allow time to review its asylum application registration system, but its efforts were in vain.

In Durban, home to many foreigners, documented and undocumented, angry protesters marched around the city, armed with sticks.

A foreigner, who preferred to remain anonymous, told journalists that he was assaulted by protesters who stole his wallet and phone. In other places, three houses were burned down and shops looted.

“ I decided to come to the march because I am concerned about what is happening in this country,” said Vusi Gumede, a 43-year-old protester, referring to drug trafficking and human trafficking. “If the government does not pay attention (...) there will be more violence,” he added, pointing to a small burning house.

Another protest was held in front of the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, where the day before about ten vehicles were set on fire in the large neighborhood neighboring Soweto.

After the publication of the government circular, long queues were formed in front of the offices of the Ministry of Interior in several of the main cities of the country. The ministry admitted that its services were “overcharged in a few days.”.

Subsequently, anti-immigration groups mobilized their supporters, following the broad campaign against undocumented immigrants in recent months, and which caused the exodus of more than 160,000 people, according to government figures.

At least four migrants died in acts of violence linked to the movement, according to the police.

South Africa, the largest economy on the continent, has long attracted migrants, but faces an unemployment rate of more than 30% and profound inequalities. For more than 20 years the country has been plagued by constant xenophobic violence.