President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police operations amid anti-immigration protests in Durban.
The deployment will remain in place until 30 November 2026 and is expected to cost approximately R34 million.
According to the deployment notice submitted to Parliament, the soldiers will support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in maintaining law and order during protests and will remain on standby to respond to potential outbreaks of violence.
The deployment forms part of Operation Prosper, a joint security operation involving law enforcement agencies in several provinces.
Deployment follows unrest in Durban
The decision comes after a series of protests targeting undocumented foreign nationals in Durban, some of which were accompanied by violence and looting.
One person was reportedly killed during the unrest, while businesses and property were also affected.
Ramaphosa attributed some of the tensions to misinformation surrounding a court judgment relating to asylum applications. He said the misinformation had contributed to violence during anti-immigration protests.
The President has informed Parliament in writing about the deployment, as required by the Constitution.
R34 million cost
The deployment is expected to cost the state R34 million, with the soldiers assigned to support police operations until the end of November.
The SANDF members are expected to assist with maintaining public order and responding to possible flare-ups as tensions continue.
Government has previously stressed that immigration laws must be enforced by authorised state institutions and that members of the public may not take the law into their own hands by threatening or attacking foreign nationals.
The deployment is scheduled to end on 30 November 2026.
