South Africa suspends asylum applications following anti immigrant protests

South Africa has suspended its asylum application system following anti-immigrant protests outside several Home Affairs offices, France 24 reported. The demonstrations began after a court ruling directed the government to open application access to all foreign nationals regardless of their legal status. [1]

The government stressed that all submitted asylum requests remain subject to formal approval, according to France 24. However, the court ruling prompted immediate backlash from anti-immigrant protesters, forcing officials to suspend the application process. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, anti-migrant demonstrations previously turned violent in Durban and Soweto after court orders required the government to process asylum applications. During those earlier protests, vehicles were set on fire, businesses were forced to close, and police used rubber bullets to disperse crowds. [14]

South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa and is home to a population of over 63 million people. [12]