Foreign and South African business owners scrambled for safety as anti-immigrant protests swept through Durban's city centre on Friday, with crowds clashing and police struggling to contain the violence following a day of attacks on shops and vehicles.
Crowds are seen running through the streets, some carrying wooden sticks, as police rush to restore order. Officers are also seen escorting an injured person through a crowd of protesters.
The unrest followed violent clashes in Durban and Johannesburg's Soweto township on Thursday, where at least 24 vehicles were set alight and businesses, including foreign-owned shops, were looted. Reports also described a foreign national being beaten in the street during the violence.
The protests were driven by anger over the processing of asylum applications at Department of Home Affairs offices, following a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that removed certain restrictions on access to South Africa's asylum system.
The ruling means asylum seekers cannot be denied the opportunity to apply solely because they entered the country illegally or failed to meet administrative requirements. It does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence.
South African authorities stressed that all asylum claims must still be assessed individually and warned against misinformation suggesting the ruling amounted to an amnesty for undocumented migrants.
Following the unrest, the Department of Home Affairs withdrew a September 28 directive intended to help implement the court ruling. Officials said refugee reception centres had been overwhelmed by applications, while staff faced threats and serious public safety concerns.
The department insisted it remained committed to complying with the court's decision and would develop a new approach to processing asylum applications.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane condemned the violence, warning that those responsible for attacks, looting and destruction of property would face prosecution.
Police also reinforced their presence in Durban as the demonstrations continued, urging protesters to respect the law and warning against further violence.