South Africa's government has halted asylum applications amid anti-migrant unrest, leaving people trying to resolve their immigration paperwork uncertain about how to proceed, France 24 reported Oct. 27.
France 24 linked the suspension to recent protests against migrants. The outlet said some demonstrators have demanded tougher action against foreign nationals, particularly undocumented migrants, and that such hostility has at times been followed by killings. It also described people who expected to use official channels to handle their paperwork and status as uncertain about what to do next.
On Oct. 23, France 24 reported that a foreign national died after an assault at a protest march in Durban, an episode described in EconoTimes' earlier account of the Durban attack.
South Africa's presidency announced that 510 soldiers would assist police in KwaZulu-Natal during anti-migrant demonstrations. Reuters said the deployment began Oct. 9 and is due to continue through Nov. 30, with expected costs of 34.1 million rand ($2.05 million); EconoTimes covered the deployment.
