Violent anti-immigration protests erupted in Durban and the Soweto township in Johannesburg on 8 October 2026, with at least 24 vehicles torched and foreign-owned businesses looted. The US Embassy in Pretoria issued a security alert on 9 October, and the US Consulate General in Durban was temporarily closed as a precaution.
By the afternoon of 9 October, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs had withdrawn the directive that triggered the unrest - but travellers visiting either city in the coming days should remain aware of the situation.
What Triggered the Violence
In July 2026, South Africa’s Constitutional Court struck down procedural barriers to lodging asylum claims, ruling them unconstitutional. In late September, the Department of Home Affairs issued a directive to implement the ruling. That directive, which some groups perceived as significantly expanding migrant rights, was shared widely online with misinformation attached, and protests organised in response turned violent in Durban’s central business district and in Soweto.
At least 14 vehicles were torched in Durban, with small convenience stores - many run by migrants - looted. In Soweto, at least 10 vehicles were set alight. No deaths were reported in the initial reporting, though several injuries were confirmed.
Government Response
The director-general of the Department of Home Affairs withdrew the directive on 9 October, stating that the department would restart the consultation process and draft a new plan meeting the court’s requirements. Police and SANDF soldiers deployed to Soweto to restore order.
As of 10 October, the immediate trigger has been removed, but underlying tensions remain elevated.
Impact on Travellers
The disruption was concentrated in specific areas:
- Durban CBD and southern Durban districts - away from the tourist beachfront strip
- Soweto - not a primary tourist destination but relevant to those visiting the Hector Pieterson Memorial or doing Soweto township tours
- Johannesburg CBD - minor disruption; Sandton, Rosebank, and OR Tambo were not affected
The Durban beachfront (Golden Mile), uShaka Marine World, and the Umhlanga area were not reported as directly affected. OR Tambo and King Shaka International airports operated normally throughout.
Practical Advice
- Avoid Durban’s CBD and southern residential areas until the situation has settled - the beachfront and tourist zones are a different part of the city.
- Township tours in Soweto should be booked through reputable operators who monitor conditions daily - confirm with your operator before travelling.
- Monitor the US Embassy Pretoria alerts page, the UK FCDO South Africa travel advice, and EWN (Eyewitness News) for real-time updates.
- Several governments - including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK - maintain standing Level 2 advisories for South Africa. The current unrest is consistent with why those advisories are held, not an escalation beyond them.
For a broader picture of safety considerations across South Africa, our is South Africa safe guide covers crime statistics, urban safety, and regional risk differences in detail.