Soweto residents demonstrate outside Orlando
Tensions remain high in Soweto as community members demand an end to asylum processing, while civic leaders urge calm and city officials monitor the area.
The Soweto community gathered at the Home Affairs office in Orlando West today following the intake of asylum seeker applications linked to a Constitutional Court judgment on July 7.
Community organiser Lumkile Mkhaliphi said Friday’s gathering was a continuation of demonstrations from the previous day.
“As we were here yesterday and came out in numbers, we just want to call for an end to asylum applications and we still are calling for the deportation of foreign nationals in South Africa,” Mkhaliphi said. “The Department of Home Affairs released a statement revoking its directive, however, we say that that is not enough.”
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Community members shared concern about foreign nationals applying for asylum when there is no war in their home countries. Residents added that the situation turned violent on Thursday, alleging that foreign nationals drew firearms and fired a shot without police taking action.
“This is not only us fighting for ourselves, but fighting for our children and the communities they will grow up in,” said Meadowlands community member Lindiwe Motjatau. “With regards to the reversal made by the Department of Home Affairs, we are not sure that this is a permanent decision.”
During Thursday’s operation, an internet cafe allegedly printing fraudulent asylum documents was shut down.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said officials were present on Thursday night to observe proceedings and were relieved to see the situation had stabilised. Morero added that the directive from Home Affairs helped reduce tension, while the city continues to engage communities and encourage them to apply for spaza funding to take over the township economy.
Nkosi Mashwabane from KwaZulu-Natal supported the community, echoing that residents should stand in solidarity and fight for Soweto. Mashwabane urged community members to wrap fibre poles in purple cloths to show the country is fighting in solidarity.
Community members stated they will not rest until foreign nationals are deported.
