South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal province to support police operations amid anti-migrant protests and fears of further violence.
The deployment, which runs until November 30, forms part of Operation Prosper, an ongoing joint security operation. It is expected to cost about 34 million rand and will see members of the South African National Defence Force support police in maintaining public order and responding to potential flare-ups.
The decision follows a request from KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli after demonstrations against undocumented immigration turned violent in Durban earlier in October. Protesters looted businesses, damaged property and set vehicles and buildings alight, while foreign-owned shops were among those targeted.
During the initial unrest, at least 14 vehicles were reportedly set on fire in Durban, while another 10 were burned in Soweto, near Johannesburg. A guest house and warehouse in Durban were also partially damaged by fire.
The deployment comes amid renewed concern over attacks on foreign nationals. On October 22, a foreign citizen was beaten to death by a group during a protest march in central Durban, police said. Investigators were searching for suspects and had not publicly confirmed the victim’s nationality in their initial account.
The protests have been fuelled partly by opposition to the implementation of a Constitutional Court ruling on access to South Africa’s asylum system.
The July ruling said asylum seekers could not be denied access to the process solely because they entered the country illegally. It did not automatically grant refugee status, permanent residence or other immigration rights.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs later withdrew a directive introduced to implement the ruling, saying the measure had placed pressure on refugee reception offices and raised safety concerns. The government has also blamed misinformation about the judgment for contributing to the unrest.
Anti-migrant protesters have called for tougher action against undocumented foreign nationals, arguing that immigration controls are inadequate. However, attacks on people and businesses based on perceived nationality have raised concerns about xenophobia and the safety of migrant communities.
Authorities have condemned looting, arson and assaults, stressing that concerns about immigration must be addressed through lawful processes rather than violence.
The KwaZulu-Natal government has said it is engaging protest leaders while reinforcing law enforcement operations. Officials have also warned that continued unrest could damage investor confidence and threaten businesses and jobs in the province.
The soldiers are expected to support police in preventing further violence and protecting people and property. The deployment underscores the government’s response to an increasingly volatile situation, as South Africa faces pressure to address public concerns about immigration while protecting the rights and safety of everyone within its borders.
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