Home Affairs makes U-turn on asylum application directive

The Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn the directive issued on September 28 regarding the processing of asylum applications. This follows a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers and their children cannot be entirely excluded from refugee status due to procedural failures. The directive was an operational measure to implement the court's order, but it led to protests and clashes in Soweto and Durban, with residents torching vehicles and infrastructure. Home Affairs stated the directive was not politically motivated and was based on the court case they had opposed.