Premier Panyaza Lesufi of Gauteng has expressed her delight at the abrupt reversal of a Home Affairs directive concerning asylum seekers, stating that this provides the government with an opportunity to address the matter appropriately. Lesufi made the statement while surveying the aftermath of the night’s violence in Soweto on Friday morning. He emphasized that no law should be biased or hidden in its treatment of its own citizens.
Following a ruling by the Constitutional Court in July, the order was issued on September 28. According to that decision, individuals cannot be denied asylum solely based on their entry method or the fact that they missed certain deadlines for submitting paperwork under the Refugees Act. In order to comply with the court order, the Department of Home Affairs instructed refugee reception offices to begin accepting applications in a more transparent manner. The offices were inundated within a few days. There were increasing dangers to public order and hazards to employees, according to officials.
Soweto and Durban were the sites of Thursday’s protests. Shops were looted and vehicles were set ablaze. Aggravated assault, public violence, and willful property damage are all under investigation by the police. Clashes broke out in Soweto between locals and foreigners, prompting the deployment of the South African National Defense Force and police to the area. Joined by other high-ranking officials, Lesufi personally inspected the scene of the accident alongside acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane.
Tommy Makhode, director general of home affairs, rescinded the order on Friday. Officials in the department acted on the directive without informing the Minister, according to the department. It went on to say that unexpectedly major issues arose when the court judgment was tried to be implemented. In order to comply with the court order in a more secure and practical manner, the department is currently developing a new procedure that refugee reception offices will now follow. The decision of the Constitutional Court is still in effect notwithstanding the withdrawal.
The change was a huge relief for Lesufi. He explained that this gives the government a chance to talk things over and find a solution without having to disregard the court’s decision. Meanwhile, he emphasized that South Africans must be protected, not left behind, by any new strategy. Many in the community are opposed to the directive and have voiced their desire for stricter regulations regarding asylum requests and more robust measures to combat illegal immigration. A launch date for the revamped strategy has not been announced by Home Affairs.