South Africa: 24 vehicles burnt, shops looted in anti-immigration protests

Anti-immigration protests turned violent in Soweto and Durban, with 24 vehicles torched and foreign-owned shops looted after a court asylum ruling sparks anger.

Anti-immigration protests in South Africa turned violent with at least 24 vehicles destroyed and foreign-owned shops ransacked across two major cities, according to police.

The unrest erupted simultaneously in Soweto, a large township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, and Durban, a key port city on the country's east coast.

Police confirmed that 14 vehicles were set ablaze in Durban and 10 in Soweto, where residents also reported gunshots during confrontations between local communities and foreign shopkeepers.

In Durban, protesters congregated outside a government refugee reception centre, demanding it cease processing asylum applications. Violence flared after allegations emerged that a foreign national had assaulted one of the demonstrators.

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Source: Tuko