Johannesburg – Acting Police National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has revealed that 10 cars were torched in Soweto and 14 were set alight in Durban amid protests sparked by the Constitutional Court ruling regarding asylum seekers.
Lieutenant General Dimpane made the shocking revelation during an impromptu press briefing in Soweto late Thursday, 8 October 2026.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that asylum seekers cannot be deported before their claims receive a full merits decision.
However, there appears to have been a misunderstanding regarding the ruling.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has since explained that the Constitutional Court ruling does not grant asylum seekers any new rights.
She also dispelled unfounded suggestions that asylum seekers would be granted indefinite residency or blanket citizenship.
However, earlier on Thursday, 8 October 2026, the anti-immigrant group March and March and other protesters took to the streets in Durban and Soweto, Johannesburg.
The protesters in Durban converged on the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Offices in Che Guevara Road, where violence broke out.
At least 14 cars parked near the offices were set alight.
The offices were forced to close, and asylum seekers who had gathered outside were dispersed.
Police said three foreign nationals were arrested for public violence.
Commenting on the matter, the leader of the anti-immigrant group March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said: “We will be stationed here until the government presents a solution, even if it means we camp until November 4.
“The government cannot tell us that the constitution is the final will of the country even if it oppresses the people.
“This is not different from the apartheid regime which suppresses people in the name of the law.”
In Soweto, the protests in Orlando also turned violent, resulting in the torching of vehicles and the looting of at least one shop.
Police helicopters were seen circling above, but no arrests were reported.
Speaking in Orlando, Lieutenant General Dimpane said: “We are here tonight to indicate that the South African Police Service will not tolerate lawlessness.
“We will not allow violence, the torching of vehicles that we have seen today, destruction of property or attacks on people to continue.
“Anyone who chooses to break the law will be dealt with decisively without fear or favour.
“Those who are behind the torching of these vehicles will be pursued and will be captured.
“Those responsible for acts of violence and destruction will be identified, investigated, and, where sufficient evidence exists, will be arrested and will be brought to book.”
The acting national police commissioner vowed that there will be consequences for the criminality that has taken place today in Gauteng as well as KwaZulu-Natal.
A day earlier, on Wednesday, the Department of Home Affairs issued a statement clarifying the situation regarding the Constitutional Court ruling.
“The Constitutional Court handed down a binding judgment, which the Department is constitutionally obliged to implement,” the statement said.
“An operational directive was subsequently issued solely to give effect to that judgment, as is standard practice to ensure compliance with rulings of the highest court in the land.
“Claims that this judgment by the Constitutional Court grants asylum seekers citizenship or provides for the blanket legalisation of foreign nationals are also categorically false.
“Respect for binding court judgments is fundamental to the rule of law and our constitutional democracy.
“The department will continue to fulfil its constitutional obligations, irrespective of whether it was successful in the litigation concerned.”
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