Paul Mashatile Backs Home Affairs Asylum Directive Pause, SA Reacts to Him Not Reading Court Ruling
- Deputy President Paul Mashatile spoke publicly about the Home Affairs decision to withdraw a September directive on asylum seeker applications
- Mashatile admitted he had not personally read the Constitutional Court judgment, attributing his knowledge to what he had been told
- South Africans reacted sharply online, questioning whether the Deputy President was aware of one of the country's most contentious issues
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Deputy President Paul Mashatile has welcomed the Department of Home Affairs' decision to suspend a directive on asylum seeker applications, saying the pause creates space for broader consultation and clearer public communication.
Speaking on 9 October 2026, Mashatile said much of the public outcry surrounding the directive stemmed from misunderstanding rather than the policy itself.
"I'm happy that Home Affairs has put the process on hold so that they can properly explain to people what they are doing," he said.
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"Because you might find that the biggest challenge is really the misunderstanding of what needs to be done."
Mashatile acknowledged he had not personally read the judgment, noting he was relying on secondhand accounts of its contents.
"I haven't read the judgment, but I'm told that the court was actually saying they must process people, but nobody will receive automatic approvals," he said. "Others may be declined and so on."
What prompted Home Affairs to pause
The now-suspended directive, issued on 28 September, was intended to give effect to a July 2026 Constitutional Court ruling.
The judgment struck down provisions of the Refugees Act that had previously blocked asylum applications based on irregular entry or missed procedural deadlines. The directive sought to expand intake at refugee reception offices in response.
Within days of implementation, however, offices were overwhelmed, officials reportedly faced safety risks, and violent protests broke out in several areas. Home Affairs subsequently withdrew the directive, promising a revised approach to achieving compliance with the court order.
South Africans question Deputy President's grasp of the issue
The remarks drew swift and sharp criticism on social media, with many users focusing on Mashatile's repeated use of the phrase "I'm told" in relation to a major court ruling.
Rey M. Muremi wrote:
"You haven't read the judgement."
Babalwa Hleza commented:
"Uthi, 'I'm told'. What's happening to this one?"
Jabu Nkosi added:
"I'm told he doesn't know anything, kanti."
@NdumiRed asked:
"Why hasn't he read the judgement? Is he not the deputy?"
@smiileeeyyy wrote:
"He is just here for vibes. A whole DP, kanti, what are we paying him to do? I mean, this has been the hot topic, but he has not read the judgment. He is going by rumours, 'I am being told.'
Phakel’umthakathi calls for calm in Durban
Nkosikhona Phakel’umthakathi Ndabandaba called for calm amid the escalating violence in the Durban Central Business District
Briefly News reported that shops were looted, vehicles torched, and several people were arrested during the unrest.
Speaking from the scene of the chaos, Ndabandaba warned leaders against inciting community members to commit acts of destruction.
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Source: Briefly News
