Home Affairs withdraws its asylum directive a day after the violent protests in Soweto and Durban
Home Affairs withdrew its 28 September directive allowing intake of asylum applications on Friday 9 October, saying it overwhelmed Refugee Reception Offices and raised public order concerns (News24, TimesLIVE, Reuters/CNBC Africa, allAfrica, Smile 90.4FM). The department will develop a new operational approach consistent with the court order. Police said Durban was calm on Friday. Ntshavheni said the government will review directives and consider its legal options (SAnews).
The withdrawal ends one source of crowds at offices but leaves open how the department will comply with a Constitutional Court order, and opens the department to litigation by migrant-rights groups.
Asylum seekers face uncertainty about where and how to apply. Residents near reception offices may see fewer crowds, at least for now.
Rights groups say the court order stands and the department cannot suspend access, so the withdrawal risks a new legal fight.
Protest groups and some residents say the withdrawal shows the directive was a mistake, and want the ruling reversed.
A directive withdrawn after violence looks like a retreat under pressure. The substantive question is whether the new approach is published quickly and tested in court. DailyDrop will watch for a court application from a rights group.
DailyDrop South Africa edition No. 6 · Morning · SAT., OCT. 10, 2026