Police reinforce security outside Home Affairs office in Soweto

Soweto residents gathered outside the Department of Home Affairs office in Orlando West on October 9. Police strengthened their presence following unrest the previous day.

Demonstrators waved South African flags and said they would prevent foreign nationals from receiving assistance at the office. SABC reported that the protest followed the withdrawal of a directive expanding the intake of asylum applications.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the situation was under control. A substantial police contingent was deployed along Khumalo Street and in surrounding areas to prevent a repeat of the previous day's events.

Fihla said stricter restrictions on gatherings applied around the office. Officers were engaging with protesters and asking them to move several metres away to allow police operations to continue. He stressed that the police recognised their constitutional right to protest.

The withdrawn directive was issued on September 28 following a Constitutional Court ruling in July. Protesters oppose assistance for asylum seekers at the local Home Affairs office.