President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal following violent unrest linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.
The deployment will cost taxpayers more than R34 million.
In a statement on Tuesday, 27 October, the Presidency confirmed that soldiers would assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in maintaining law and order under Operation Prosper.
The troops will remain on standby should further violence erupt.
RAMAPHOSA SENDS IN MILITARY
Ramaphosa has informed National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of his decision.
The deployment will run until 30 November 2026.
The Presidency said the military would support police following violent incidents fuelled by misinformation about the Constitutional Court’s judgment on the Refugees Act.
Ramaphosa authorised the deployment under Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, which allows the President to deploy the defence force in cooperation with police.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Honourable Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of his decision to deploy five hundred and ten (510) members of the South African…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 27, 2026
VIOLENT PROTESTS ROCK DURBAN
The decision follows anti-immigration protests in Durban that left one person dead and raised fears of further violence.
Earlier this month, government reported 25 arrests in KwaZulu-Natal and five in Gauteng for offences including public violence, unlawful gatherings and resisting arrest.
The unrest followed a Constitutional Court ruling on 7 July that struck down provisions of the Refugees Act preventing certain asylum seekers from submitting applications.
Government has since clarified that the judgment does not grant foreign nationals automatic refugee status, permanent residence or permission to remain in South Africa.
It requires authorities to consider asylum claims on their merits rather than reject applicants solely for failing to meet certain administrative requirements.