Anti-migrant protests erupt in Durban and Soweto, sparking vehicle fires and gunshots

Anti-migrant protests turned violent on Thursday in two South African locations. In the coastal city of Durban, demonstrators demanding that a refugee centre stop processing asylum applications overturned roughly ten cars, set them on fire and looted businesses run by foreign nationals. In Johannesburg’s Soweto township, residents confronted foreign shop owners, resulting in gunshots being heard and several vehicles being torched.

These incidents are part of a broader wave of anti-migrant rallies this year that have drawn international condemnation and prompted thousands of African migrants to flee South Africa. Social scientists say the claims that migrants take jobs, increase crime and strain services lack evidence. Despite deep inequality and high unemployment, South Africa remains the continent’s largest economy and continues to attract migrants.