Ramaphosa Deploys 510 Soldiers to KZN Amid Anti-Immigration Protests
- President Ramaphosa has authorised hundreds of SANDF members to support police in KwaZulu-Natal
- The military deployment is tied to a joint security operation costing nearly R34 million
- Durban has seen houses burned and shopkeepers counting losses following violent demonstrations
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KWAZULU- NATAL - President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force members to KwaZulu-Natal to bolster police operations as anti-immigration protests continue to unsettle Durban.
The soldiers will work alongside law enforcement to maintain order and contain any further flare-ups linked to ongoing tensions over illegal immigration in the province.
Ramaphosa notifies Parliament on deployment
In a written notice to Parliament dated 21 October 2026, Ramaphosa confirmed the deployment in keeping with his constitutional obligations. The operation, known as Operation Prosper, is a joint security initiative running across multiple provinces. The KZN contingent is expected to remain deployed until 30 November 2026, with the total cost of the operation estimated at approximately R34 million.
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Ramaphosa noted in the notice that misinformation about a court judgment had contributed to the outbreak of violence during the protests. The soldiers will be on standby to respond to any further unrest as the situation develops.
The deployment follows a deadly week in Durban, with one person killed during protests just days before the president's notice to Parliament.
The demonstrations have been accompanied by significant destruction in parts of the city. Three houses and a motorbike were set alight in Umbilo, while traders in the Durban central business district reported substantial losses after violent crowds moved through the area. Protesters have also issued threats to make Durban ungovernable until their grievances over illegal immigration are addressed.
The SANDF's presence is intended to reinforce police capacity and help stabilise a city that has seen repeated bouts of unrest in recent weeks.
See X post on the deployment here:
KZN Premier requests SANDF deployment
Previously, Briefly News reported that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli 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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Source: Briefly News
