WATCH: Vehicle fires extinguished at Constitution Hill after protest action against Home Affairs asylum directive
Police remain on the ground following protest action in Constitution Hill.
Vehicles were reportedly set alight in the vicinity of Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on October 9, prompting a swift response from security and law enforcement agencies.
The SAPS and JMPD responded to Constitution Hill after reports of vehicles being set alight in the area, mobilising teams to assess the situation and support law enforcement and emergency services.
The protest stemmed from the Department of Home Affairs releasing an asylum directive in September.
The Department of Home Affairs issued an operational directive on September 28 to implement a unanimous Constitutional Court judgment, then withdrew it on October 9 after severe public unrest and operational strain.
It instructed all Refugee Reception Offices (RROs) to immediately receive every person reporting in person, including those who entered South Africa unlawfully or without a transit visa, to lodge an asylum application under Section 21 of the Refugees Act and issue a Section 22 asylum seeker permit.
@southern.courier Police remain on the ground following protest action in Constitution Hill. Motorists and members of the public are advised to avoid affected areas, including Crown Mines, Rifle Range, and Mondeor. Full story southerncourier.co.za
In an update on the situation, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhulhulwi of the Gauteng SAPS confirmed that the vehicle set alight has been extinguished, and crowds in the area are beginning to disperse.
“The protest action in Constitutional Hill was in response to the Asylum Directive that Home Affairs outlined in September. Protestors set vehicles on fire, but EMS officials were called, and the fires were extinguished. SAPS were then deployed to calm the situation and disperse the protestors. The SAPS remain visible in the area to maintain calm in the area,” said Nevhulhulwi.
Motorists and members of the public are advised to avoid affected areas, including Crown Mines, Rifle Range, and Mondeor.
Law enforcement members remain on the ground alongside Public Order Policing units and the SAPS, monitoring the situation and supporting efforts to restore calm.
Public safety remains the priority as authorities continue to monitor the area.
