President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police following violent anti-immigration protests in Durban. The move comes amid growing concerns over public safety, attacks on foreign nationals, looting and damage to businesses. The deployment is intended to strengthen law enforcement and prevent further unrest.
According to the Presidency, the soldiers will operate under Operation Prosper, supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in maintaining law and order. The deployment is authorised from 9 October until 30 November 2026, with an estimated cost of R34,082,720. Soldiers will remain on standby to assist police when necessary.
The decision follows protests against undocumented immigration and the processing of asylum applications. Violence in Durban has included the looting of shops, the burning of vehicles and attacks on people. A foreign national was also reportedly beaten to death during an incident in the Durban central business district in October, highlighting the serious risks associated with the unrest. Police have made arrests linked to public violence and attacks.
The government has attributed some of the tensions to misinformation surrounding a Constitutional Court judgment on asylum procedures. The judgment did not automatically grant undocumented migrants refugee status or permanent residence. Rather, it addressed barriers affecting access to the asylum determination process. Authorities have warned that concerns about immigration must be addressed through lawful procedures rather than violence or vigilantism.
Will The SANDF Deployment Benefit South Africa?
The deployment could benefit the country by providing additional security support where police resources are stretched. A visible security presence may help deter looting, protect residents and businesses, and reduce the risk of further violence. It could also help restore public confidence and allow affected communities to resume their daily activities.
However, the deployment comes at an estimated cost of more than R34 million. There are also concerns about how effectively a military presence can address the underlying causes of unrest, including frustrations about immigration enforcement, unemployment, service delivery and misinformation. Soldiers can support police operations, but they cannot resolve these issues on their own.
The deployment’s success will therefore depend on lawful and proportionate conduct, effective coordination with the police, protection of everyone’s rights, and accountability for any abuses. Government will also need to improve public communication, enforce immigration laws fairly and address community concerns without targeting people based on nationality.
As tensions continue in Durban and the wider province, the central question is whether the deployment will help restore lasting peace or provide only temporary relief. Its real benefit to South Africa will be measured not simply by the number of soldiers on the streets, but by whether violence decreases, people feel safer and the underlying problems are addressed.
Main image: News24
