KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli Requests SANDF Deployment in Durban As Unrest Escalates
- KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli confirmed he had already submitted a request for army deployment in Durban
- The request came after violent unrest on 8 and 9 October 2026 left 14 vehicles torched and shops looted in the city centre
- The chaos was triggered by a Constitutional Court ruling that eased asylum seeker applications, overwhelming refugee reception offices
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Source: UGC
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.
KWAZULU-NATAL — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has formally requested the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in Durban, saying the situation in the city has become unmanageable.
Ntuli made the announcement on Friday, 9 October 2026, while accompanying acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia on a walkabout in Durban.
He said the request had already been submitted and that he was awaiting an official response.
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What triggered the Durban unrest?
The violence stems from a 7 July 2026 Constitutional Court ruling, which struck down sections of the Refugees Act that had blocked asylum applications on procedural grounds, including irregular entry or missed reporting deadlines. The court found that such barriers prevented a fair assessment of protection claims and conflicted with the principle of non-refoulement.
The ruling does not grant automatic refugee status or permanent residence. Claims can still be rejected on merit, and unsuccessful applicants may face deportation following due process.
The Department of Home Affairs issued an operational directive instructing Refugee Reception Offices to begin processing affected applications following the ruling, but offices were quickly overwhelmed by large queues.
Violence erupts in Durban
Anti-illegal immigration groups, including March and March, then gathered outside the Che Guevara Road refugee office in Durban, blocking people from submitting applications. Tensions escalated sharply on 8 October after a protester was allegedly assaulted and sustained a broken leg. Three foreign nationals were arrested in connection with that incident.
Crowds subsequently moved into the Durban CBD, where police reported 14 vehicles torched, shops looted, and several buildings damaged. Similar unrest broke out in Soweto, where approximately 10 vehicles were burned, and gunshots were reported. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.
On 9 October, the director-general of Home Affairs withdrew the September directive, citing risks to staff and public order. The department said it would develop a revised implementation approach while still complying with the Constitutional Court order. That hasn't stopped the violence, as protesters continue to cause chaos in the city and surrounding areas.
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
