Date: October 9, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
South African police arrested several protesters in Johannesburg’s Central Business District on Friday as demonstrations over immigration and the country’s asylum system continued amid heightened tensions involving foreign nationals.
The arrests came as demonstrators attempted to continue a march through the city centre. Videos shared by SABC journalist Chriselda Zozi Lewis showed police detaining protesters, with further arrests reported later in the day. Local reports said Gauteng police confirmed that four people had been arrested and were believed to have been among those leading the demonstration. Police said the suspects could face charges including incitement to violence.
The protesters had earlier gathered outside South Africa’s Constitutional Court to demonstrate against illegal immigration and the government’s handling of asylum applications. The group later moved through Johannesburg’s CBD, chanting against undocumented foreign nationals and criticizing President Cyril Ramaphosa. Police escorted the march as tensions increased.
The Johannesburg demonstrations followed violent unrest on Thursday in Soweto and Durban, where vehicles were burned and foreign-owned businesses were looted. South African police said 10 vehicles were set alight in Soweto and 14 in Durban. A lodge and a warehouse in Durban were also partially damaged by fire, while foreign-owned shops were targeted.
In Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the violence followed a confrontation between South African residents and foreign nationals that left one person seriously injured. He said the confrontation escalated into fighting as large crowds gathered in the area. Police subsequently made arrests connected with the unrest.
The unrest has been linked to growing opposition to the processing of asylum applications and broader anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa. Demonstrators have demanded tougher action against undocumented migrants and objected to the reopening or continued operation of facilities processing asylum claims.
The immediate dispute is connected to a Constitutional Court ruling concerning access to South Africa’s asylum system. The court ruled that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to the system solely because of procedural circumstances such as having entered the country illegally. The government has emphasized that the judgment does not automatically give asylum seekers refugee status, permanent residence or other legal rights.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs subsequently withdrew a directive that had enabled the intake of asylum applications. The department said implementation had overwhelmed refugee reception offices within days, placed officials at risk and created significant public-order and safety concerns.
Government officials have also blamed misinformation surrounding the court ruling for contributing to the unrest. Officials said the judgment had been misrepresented as granting automatic legal status to undocumented migrants, something the government said was not the case.
The protests are taking place against a backdrop of longstanding economic and social tensions in South Africa. Foreign nationals have frequently been accused by some protesters of taking jobs, contributing to crime and placing pressure on public services. Social scientists cited in reporting on the unrest have said such claims are not supported by evidence.
The violence has also raised concerns among neighbouring African countries because large numbers of foreign nationals live and work in South Africa. Reuters reported that previous anti-migrant protests have contributed to foreign nationals leaving the country, while the latest unrest has further strained relations across the region.
South African authorities have increased police deployments in areas affected by the unrest. In Soweto, police and soldiers were present on Friday following Thursday’s violence, while public-order officers were deployed to help prevent further clashes and damage.
In Johannesburg’s CBD, police warned protesters that the right to demonstrate did not permit violence, looting, arson or destruction of property. Authorities said further arrests could follow if demonstrators engaged in criminal activity.
The situation remained tense as the demonstrations continued Friday, with authorities attempting to balance the right to peaceful protest with efforts to prevent further violence against foreign nationals, businesses and public property. The latest arrests underscore the growing pressure on South African authorities to contain the unrest while addressing the broader dispute over immigration and asylum policy.